{"id":42437,"date":"2023-05-21T16:06:46","date_gmt":"2023-05-21T16:06:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/bal-playoffs-ehab-amin-punishes-reg-steers-al-ahly-into-semis"},"modified":"2023-05-21T16:16:38","modified_gmt":"2023-05-21T16:16:38","slug":"bal-playoffs-ehab-amin-punishes-reg-steers-al-ahly-into-semis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/sport\/bal-playoffs-ehab-amin-punishes-reg-steers-al-ahly-into-semis","title":{"rendered":"BAL Playoffs: Ehab Amin punishes REG, steers Al Ahly into semis"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>Saturday <\/b><\/p>\n

REG 77-94 Al ahly<\/p>\n

Point guard Ehab Amin, a 2019 NBA draft, scored team high 22 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists to help Al Ahly inflict a 94-77 BAL quarter final defeat onto Rwanda Energy Group (REG) on Saturday at BK Arena and sail through to the semifinals.<\/p>\n

The Rwandan champions suffered yet another early elimination from the continental club basketball showpiece despite playing on home soil.<\/p>\n

REG came into the match as the underdogs, having qualified for the playoffs as the Sahara Conference number third seed while opponents Al ahly finished as first runners-up of Nile Conference, behind conference champions Petro de Luanda.<\/p>\n

It was a make-or-break game for both teams in the first half, after rubbing shoulders in the first quarter of the game.<\/p>\n

President Paul Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame were among guests who were in attendance.<\/p>\n

Playing their usual defensive style, the Egyptian team won the first quarter 23-18 and second quarter 23-14 going into halftime with a 46-32 lead.<\/p>\n

Dean Murray\u2019s half time briefing to the REG group in the locker room made a significant impact early in the third quarter as the boys scored crucial points in an attempt to at least tie the scoring.<\/p>\n

Al Ahly beat Rwanda Energy Group (REG) 94-77 on Saturday at BK Arena and sail through to the semifinals.<\/p>\n

REG trailed the rest of the second half with double digits despite a powerful 26-point performance from point guard Adonis Filer.<\/p>\n

The home side\u2019s reliance on the bench has slightly dropped, contributing as little as 13 bench points against 39 from the Egyptian giants.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we just have to learn from our mistakes and keep going,\u201d said Dieudone Ndizeye, adding, \u201cWe can only do better next year.\u201d<\/p>\n

REG trailed their opponents on different fronts of the game such as points in the paint, second chance points, fast break points as well as points from turnovers.<\/p>\n

For head Coach Dean Murray, Al Ahly deserves credit, \u201cbecause it is a complete team.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had a good start, we were very patient, every time we got a little quick with our shots, they made us pay,\u201d claimed Murray, citing that REG was capable of beating the latter.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat team has been together, they have been playing for some games, they were recently crowned the champions of the Egyptian league, so we give them a lot of credit.\u201d<\/p>\n

With the win, REG fell short of their campaign to the BAL championship in the same stage for the second time in a row while Al Ahly became the second team to qualify for the tournament\u2019s semifinals after Stade Malien.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are goal oriented, the championship is our goal,\u201d said Al Ahly head coach Julbe Bosch.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know how to take things one step at a time. We just passed our first test, and we understand that the semifinals will demand more things from us, to be more physical, but I know my players will be ready,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

In another game of the day, Malian powerhouse Stade Malien progressed to the 2023 BAL semifinals following Saturday\u2019s 78-69 quarter final victory over South Africa\u2019s Cape Town Tigers.<\/p>\n\r\n