28th July, 2021
By Muhaimin Olowoporoku
Nigeria’s D’Tigers have narrowly lost by 92-99 points their second match in the Tokyo Olympics against Germany on Wednesday .
It was their second loss after Australia.
Nigeria started against Germany brilliantly as Miami Heat Point guard Gabe Vincent secured the first basket of the game.
Jordan Nwora, who plays for Milwaukee Bucks registered 33 points for D’Tigers, with 7 rebounds and three assists.
The team had most of their points in the match via three pointers as the game ended tied 50-50 in the second quarter.
The third quarter also ended in a tie (74-74).
Although D’Tigers made frantic effort in the fourth quarter to get a win, Germany were dominant and took the game beyond Nigeria.
The Germans were inspired by big man Johannes Voigtmann’s 19 points and 7 rebounds performance.
The Germans had five players score in double figures and withstood an explosive game from Nigeria forward Jordan Nwora, who put up a game high 33 points.
Nigeria at some point in the game led with as much as twelve points.
But they didn’t do enough defensively, giving away fouls the Germans easily converted from the free throw line.
The win was Germany’s first after losing to Italy.
Nigeria will play their last game against Italy on Saturday, hoping to win and if lucky qualify for the next round.
Germany will face Australia.
The games are currently in the group stage made up of three groups of four teams each.
First and second place teams from each group automatically go through to the knock-out phase.
The two best third-placed teams will also advance.