NIGERIA lost their opening game of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics men’s basketball event 84-67 to Australia on Sunday.
The Nigerians started brightly and held their own until late in the game when the more experienced Aussies pulled away to secure victory.
D’Tigers paid the price for missing most of their free throws and frequently turning the ball over to the Boomers.
The Nigerians, who had lost to Australia in an exhibition game just before the Olympics, were a match for their much higher ranked opponents in the first two quarters, giving fans hope of an upset.
The first quarter ended even at 23-23, D’Tigers coming from a seven-point deficit to force the tie.
Australia, ranked No.3 in the world by FIBA, took the second quarter 20-17, taking a 43-40 lead into half-time.
The Boomers extended their lead by another three points as they won a low-scoring third quarter 15-12 to take a 58-52 lead into the final quarter.
D’Tigers, ranked 22nd in the world, were still within range at that point, but the Boomers ramped it up a gear and stamped their superiority on the game.
The Australians won the fourth quarter 26-15 to ease to the top of Group B.
Patty Mills drove the Australians to victory with a game-high 25 points, while Obi Emegano was Nigeria’s top scorer with 12.
Australia’s Nic Kay had the most rebounds with eight, followed by D’Tigers’ Precious Achunwa with six.
Nigeria’s next game is against Germany on Wednesday, when Australia battle Italy.
Meanwhile, in the other Group B game earlier on Sunday, Italy defeated Germany 92-82.
