)
Dean Murray’s REG defeated host team AS Douanes 69-55 to go 3-0 with two games left to play.
Rwanda Energy Group (REG) will undoubtedly be among the top four sides when the Basketball Africa League Sahara Conference action comes to an end.
The Rwandan champions affirmed their hold on top spot with a third straight win of the tournament Wednesday night.
Dean Murray’s side defeated host team AS Douanes 69-55 to go 3-0 with two games left to play.
REG started on the front foot and led 25-12 after the first quarter. They then took the second frame 17-12 to lead by 18 points (42-24) going into the halftime break.
The lead ballooned to 24 points (54-30) in the third quarter, and REG went on to win by 14 points (69-55).
The hosts out-rebounded REG 56-48 but were blunt on offence.
Terrell Stoglin struggled all night and failed to record any single point on what turned out to be a frustrating night for the home crowd.
REG cut out Stoglin’s offensive prowess, and the BAL All-time leading scorer ended the night scoreless.
The Senegalese champions shot four-for-28 from beyond the arc, and that was not good enough against a REG side that was effective on both ends of the ball.
Chris Crawford and Jean Jacques Boissy led AS Douanes with 15 and 14 points, respectively, and were the only players to score in double figures.
Dieudonne Ndizeye went three-of-five from three-point range on his way to 13 points.
Jean Jacques Nshobozwabyosenummukiza led REG’s offence with 15 points, while Cleveland Thomas Jr contributed 12.
REG shot 11-of-33 from downtown.
The victory saw REG improve to 3-0 while AS Douanes dropped to 0-2.
“This is what basketball is all about,” REG centre Pitchou Manga said.
“We scouted his (Stoglin) movements; we played aggressive defensively, and that’s how we won this game,” the DR Congo international player added.
The victory means REG, who finished top of the Sahara Conference last season, are the first team to qualify for the BAL Playoffs slated for May 21-28 in Kigali, Rwanda.
Basketball Africa League
Wednesday results
REG 69-55 AS Douanes
US Monastir 85-75 Kwara Falcons
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)