The Nigeria’s men national basketball
team, D’Tigers, on Monday fell 69-86 to Brazil, a result that eliminated
them from the competition.
The team showed some signs of exploit in
the early minutes of the game but succumbed and never regained its
focus from the second quarter of the game.
Alade Aminu, Ike Diogu, Uzoh Ben,
Chamberlin Oguchi were all at their best as Nigeria dominated
proceedings in the first quarter, having led 16-15.
The tide turned around in the second
quarter when D’Tigers were forced to commit some fouls, leading to free
throws which the Brazilians converted.
Brazilian point guard Raulzinho Neto,
kept D’Tigers on check as the hosts made 18 turnovers against Nigeria’s
11 to rally to a 42-31 lead at the end of the second quarter.
D’Tigers came close to stealing the show
in the third quarter but the combination of Chicago Bulls Felicio
Cristiano and Houston Rockets forward Nene, ensured the Nigerians did
not get more opportunities to shoot from the centre.
The third quarter, however, ended 59-52 in favour of the hosts.
The Brazilians continued their dominance and produced 10 steals against Nigeria’s three to end the last quarter 86-69.
The defeat ensured D’Tigers had no
chance of progressing in the Olympics after raising the hopes of
Nigerians with a stunning 90-76 defeat against Croatia.
The defeat of Croatia was Nigeria’s
first win of the Olympics basketball event after a string of
disappointing defeats to Argentina, Lithuania and Spain in their first,
second and third games
Brazil, 2-3, awaits the outcome of the final Group B games later in the day to see whether it is through to the quarter-finals.
Brazil is vying with Spain and Croatia to become the last two teams from Group B to survive to the knockout phase.
Both Argentina and Lithuania are already ensured passage to the quarters with 3-1 records.
Spain, 2-2, plays Argentina later Monday and Croatia, also 2-2, faces Lithuania.
The USA, at 5-0, along with France, Australia and Serbia have advanced out of Group A.
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