IPRC-South revel in Women’s Day hoops tourney success

IPRC-South Women Basketball Club believe they can win the StarTimes National Basketball League after scooping a third trophy of the season over the weekend. The Huye-based side overcame arch-rivals APR 92-83 to win the 2018 International Women’s Day tournament on Sunday at Amahoro Indoor Stadium. It was IPRC-South’s third trophy for the 2017/2018 campaign following success in the pre-season tournament last December and the National Heroes Day tourney last month. In all the three finals, the Huye-based side beat reigning league champions, APR. In the finals of the International Women’s Day tournament, APR started the more lethal side, claiming the first quarter 21-16. However, IPRC-South responded quickly to win the second quarter, 18-16, to reduce the deficit to 37-34 going into the half-time break. Jean Claude Muhirwa’s IPRC-South returned for the second half even sharper, taking the third quarter 21-17 to go into final quarter with a one-point lead, 55-54. APR bounced to narrowly take the fourth quarter 22-21 to level the game 76-all hence taking the game into Over Time. IPRC-South showed why they should be taken seriously as genuine league challengers by easily dominating the five minutes, 16-7, to seal a deserved 92-83 triumph. “We are having a good run this season; we must maintain the momentum because we want to win as many trophies as we possibly can. After the women’s day title, the focus shifts to the league title race, which is our ultimate goal,” IPRC-South head coach Muhirwa said. The Women’s Day tournament also attracted teams in youth and veterans categories. ADEGI Gituza defeated Gashora Girls School 80-63 to win the youth title while League Veterans Team thumped Shooting Touch for 69-31 to clinch the veterans’ crown. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

Sports

IPRC-South revel in Women’s Day hoops tourney success