By Akinwale Kasali
Basking from the euphoria of its 90-87 victory over World Number One Basketball team in the World, USA, the D’Tigers failed to repeat that heroics, losing to Australia 108-69 in an exhibition match ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan.
At the Las Vegas Exhibition Series, the Australian side demystified the Nigeria side throughout the duration of the pulsating encounter.
D’Tigers had earlier beaten the USA and Argentine teams,rated number one and four respectively in the world.
Australia is rated number three in the world.
The loss is Mike Brown’s first since taking over as coach of D’Tigers in 2020.
The Aussies displayed grit and technical prowess as they shreded D’Tigers apart in the first quarter, taking a 13-point lead to end 26-13. The third ranked nation in the world continued their dominance in the second quarter ending with a comfortable 20-point lead – 49-29.
The Australians opened a 38-point lead to end the quarter 84-46, then clocking the 100-point mark to win by 39 points ending the game 108-69.
The Australians made it three wins in a row with Chris Gouding scoring 21 points, three rebounds and four steals. He hit 100 per cent accuracy from the three-point line making all seven attempts.
Josh Okogie and Obi Emegano led D’Tigers in scoring with 10 points a piece while Jahlil Okafor had seven points and five rebounds and Ike Iroegbu also scored seven points in a game they will want to forget in a hurry.
Nigeria has had an impressive run during the exhibition series beating powerhouses USA and Argentina before suffering their first loss.
D’Tigers will face the Boomers in their first game at the Olympics on July 25 and will be hoping to get a better return.
Before the start of the match, the Nigerian Olympic Basketball team D’Tigers honored their friend, Olanrewaju Abdulganiyu Fasasi, popularly known as Sound Sultan, who died of Cancer few days ago, was honored during the match, as the players put on their T-shirts and a moment’s silence before the friendly game.
