The Rwanda Energy Group overcomes US Monastir on Monday at Dakar Arena as Pitchou Manga dropped a 16-point double-double with 10 rebounds plus three blocks to help the REG secure a slot in the final games scheduled for May in Kigali, Rwanda.

Trailing by 6 points at the break (21-26, 15-16), REG cut it down to two points with 2 seconds remaining in the third quarter when Axel Mpoyo hit a three points buzzer-beater to end the quarter with 56-55 in favour of Rwanda Energy Group.

REG started out strong in the last quarter as Nshobozwa scored back to back threes to hand The Electricians the eight-point lead in the first 90 seconds. A lead they never looked back on as Kigali based club carried on until 15 seconds when US Monastir was a point behind, 75-74 but with possession in hand.

On a game-deciding possession, Michael Andre Dixon tried to play a pick and roll with Mokhtar Ghayaza which failed and ended up passing the ball to Radhouane Slimane. With the time ticking, Slimane tried to drive into the paint however Adonis Filer’s defence was solid and forced him an offensive foul which ended Monastir’s 4 game winning streak in 2022 BAL Sahara Conference.

Monastir committed a defensive foul in the last REG possession and they benefited two free throws which were scored by Cleveland Thomas to seal a well deserved win, 77-74.

Manga Pitchou finished with 16 points, 10 rebounds and 3 blocks, showing his ability to positively affect the game on offence as much as he does on defence. His performance earned him the Player of the game.

With the victory, Rwanda Energy Group improves to 3-1 ahead of today’s last game against Clube Ferroviário da Beira. Both REG BBC and US Monastir have already qualified for the final games slated in Kigali later in May.

Thursday night’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Rwanda Energy Group guard Jean Jacques Wilson Nshobozwabyosenumukiza sealed the game against Marcus Crawford and his SLAC.

REG finished the first quarter with a good 22 to 15 lead, before SLAC cut the deficit in the second quarter and end the first half level at 42-42.

REG had a one-point lead at the end of the third quarter 64-63 and in the last quarter, the scores were close until the last 2 minutes.

Prior to REG’s last ball possession, power forward Axel Mpoyo had his chance of winning the game for the Rwandan side if only he could keep the ball. However, he lost it to Christopher Ewaoche Obekpa who didn’t make a mistake from that turnover and give SLAC an 81-80 lead.

It was just 7.8 seconds remaining when REG came out of a timeout, looking to get the ball into the hands of point guard Cleveland Thomas who dribbled and give the ball back to Nshobozwa.

With only 1.5 seconds, Rwandan Point Guard Nshobozwabyosenumukiza hits a buzzer-beater from behind the arc to make it 83-81 and secure a 2-0 win record for the 2022 BAL Sahara Conference.

Nshobozwabyosenumukiza scored 18 points, dished out 4 assists and stole 4 balls while Cleveland Thomas dropped a team and game-high 21 points. Dieudonné Ndizeye added 13.

In this game, the American guard, Cleveland Thomas displayed another outstanding performance especially in the last 2 quarters as He’s scored all his 21 points in the second half.

The second win for Rwanda Energy Group proves how serious they mean business in the quest for a playoff slot in Kigali. This Friday, March 11 in Dakar arena, REG will rub shoulders with the host DUC.