Flame Basketball Club ignited the court on May 22, 2026, securing an 87–81 victory over the Kicukiro Buckets in a thrilling Rwanda Basketball League Division 2 encounter. The match, played at a neutral venue, showcased the Flame’s resilience as they overcame a spirited Buckets challenge to claim a crucial win.

Match Overview

From tip-off, both teams traded baskets, with Kicukiro Buckets showing early energy and taking a slim 22–20 lead after the first quarter. Flame Basketball Club settled into their rhythm in the second, using aggressive defense to force turnovers and turn them into fast-break points. By halftime, Flame held a 45–40 advantage. The third quarter was tightly contested, but Flame’s depth proved decisive in the final period, where they outscored the Buckets 22–18.

Key Moments

• Second-quarter run: A 12–2 burst by Flame turned a two-point deficit into a comfortable lead.
• Late Buckets rally: Kicukiro cut the lead to 79–77 with two minutes left, but Flame responded with clutch baskets.
• Free-throw composure: Flame made 8 of 10 free throws in the final minute to ice the game.

Standout Players

Flame’s shooting guard Emmanuel Habimana was unstoppable, pouring in 25 points on 10-of-16 shooting. Center Patrick Mugisha controlled the paint with 14 rebounds and 4 blocks. For the Buckets, Jean Pierre Niyonzima led with 22 points and 8 assists, but his effort wasn’t enough.

Season Impact

Flame Basketball Club continues to climb the Rwanda Basketball League Division 2 table with this win, keeping their promotion hopes alive. The Buckets, meanwhile, will rue a missed opportunity to solidify their mid-table position. Both teams showed great heart in an entertaining Division 2 contest.