APR may be down, but they are far from out. After a disappointing 65-59 loss to Patriots in Game 3 of the best-of-five semifinal series on Wednesday night, the defending champions find themselves trailing 2-1—but with their championship pedigree, a bounce-back feels not just possible, but likely.
While Patriots star guard Williams Isiah Rasheed delivered an impressive performance—tallying 22 points and seven assists to guide his team to victory—APR showed flashes of the dominant form that carried them to last season’s title. They opened strong, taking the first quarter 22-18 and holding a 37-33 advantage at halftime after a tightly contested second quarter.
Momentum briefly shifted in the third quarter, despite Diarra’s six-point burst that momentarily reignited APR’s offense. Patriots responded with composure, and a key layup from Putney Raphael Rashad re-established a cushion for Sunny Niyomugabo’s side. Still, APR never folded. The army side battled hard in the final quarter, pushing until the final buzzer.
Now, with everything on the line in Game 4, the Lions are ready to roar again. There is no room for error. This is a team built for pressure, with the experience, unity, and drive to rise to the moment. A win on Friday not only keeps their title hopes alive—it sets the stage for a Game 5 showdown.
Game 4 tips off on Friday, June 27. For APR, it’s a chance to remind everyone that the series is far from over.