Rio 2016 Basketball: Argentina Beat Nigeria’s D’Tigers 94-66

August 8, 2016

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Nigeria’s D’Tigers lost their opening basketball group game to Argentina’s national team 94-66 at the Rio 2016 Olympics in Brazil in a game played at the Carioca Arena 1 on Sunday. The William Voigts’ coached side failed to convert their chances and was defeated by a tactically drilled Argentine side.

Manu Ginobili of the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs added 12 points and the Brooklyn Nets’ Luis Scola 18 as the more experienced Argentines proved too much for D’Tigers.
Ike Diogu led in the Nigerian team with a double-double, making 15 points and 13 rebounds, with 12 of that coming from a defensive point. Diogu was followed by Ebi Ere who made 14 points and 3 rebounds.
Nigeria’s D’Tigers started poorly in the game, trailing very early by as much as 11-0, but they somehow reduced the deficit to end the first quarter at 22-15. However an early injury to Shane Lawal altered the rhythm of D’Tigers just when they looked like they were getting back in the game.
A clinical Argentina side, out of 34 outside shots attempted, scored 15 while D’Tigers scored 4 out of 25 attempts.
Nigeria will now have to regroup and prepare for their next game against Lithuania.