Nigeria’s D’Tigers’ chances of making it to the quarter-finals of the
men’s basketball event of Rio 2016 was dealt a severe blow when they
lost 89-80 in their second game to world No.3 Lithuania on Tuesday
night.
D’Tigers, who lost their opening match to Argentina,
started brilliantly in the opening minutes of the game with Ike Diogu
hitting the first bucket of the game.
Ben Uzoh, Ibekwe and Ebi Ere all hit shots as Nigeria won the first quarter 16-13.
At
the end of the second quarter ,captain of the side Ike Diogu recorded
11 points, Alade Aminu scored six points while Umeh had eight points as
the Nigerians led 41-36 at half-time.
In the third quarter, Lithuania bounced back from their sloppy start and went 16 points clear to lead 65-54.
Despite
a late fight back, Lithuania’s experience and quality saw them through
the later stages of the game. D’Tigers face Spain in their next game on
Thursday.