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Filer shot eight-for-17 from the field and recorded 25 points, four rebounds and six assists for a man-of-the-match performance.
Rwanda Energy Group (REG) registered their second win of the Basketball Africa League Sahara Conference Tuesday night in Dakar, Senegal.
Adonis Filer led a second-half charge to get REG back in the game and go on to win 80-73 against Cote d’Ivoire’s ABC Fighters.
Filer shot eight-for-17 from the field and recorded 25 points, four rebounds and six assists for a man-of-the-match performance.
The Rwandan side trailed early in the game and was down seven after halftime.
Two three-pointers from Filer to start the third frame got REG right back in the game, and a 16-0 run saw the Rwandan champions lead 57-52.
On the opposing side was veteran Stephane Konate leading the way for OBC with his scoring clinic.
The Ivorians re-took the lead (60-59) midway through the fourth frame, but it was short as REG continued to get scoring runs to see them over the line.
REG took a one-point advantage (63-62) into the fourth quarter, and there was no coming back for Liz Mills’ side.
“The difference was our intensity on defence. That was the biggest thing coach stressed at halftime,” Filer said after the game.
“We put pressure on ourselves; we expect a lot from ourselves. Our teammates expect a lot from the guys on the floor,” he added.
Cleveland Thomas Jr. scored 14 points, picked four rebounds and dished out six assists for the Rwandans.
Dieudonne Ndayisaba Ndizeye contributed 10 points, while Pitchou Manga had nine points and eight rebounds as REG improved to a 2-0 record.
Stephane Konate shot five-for-10 from downtown to lead ABC in scoring with 16 points.
Abdoulaye Harouna contributed 12 points.
ABC struggled for offence from the starting five and relied on the bench for most of the game.
Starters Harouna, Chris Obekpa, Don Robinson Jr and Mike Fofana combined for just 30 points.
REG will be back in action against host club AD Douanes on Wednesday.
The home side will be desperate to get to winning ways after falling to ABC in the opening game.
ABC, meanwhile, face defending champions US Monastir on Thursday.
Basketball Africa League
Sahara Conference
Tuesday results
ABC 73-80 REG
Stade Malien 78-74 Kwara Falcons
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