D'Tigers Overpower Tunisia

[NVS]

D’Tigers won their first match in Group A by beating Tunisia 60-56 in a tough duel at the Olympic stadium.

Al-Farouq Aminu had 15 points to help Nigeria hold off a second-half rally by Tunisia in the first game of the men's Olympic basketball tournament Sunday with a 60-56 victory. 

Nigeria held Tunisia to 15 points in the first half and held a 16-point halftime lead. They led by as many as 19 and seemed in control of the game.

Tunisia, however, began the second half with a 10-2 run and closed the gap to two points late in the game.

But Aminu, who plays for the NBA's New Orleans Hornets, made of one of two free throws to seal the victory with 11 seconds remaining.

Amine Rzig scored 15 of his 18 points in the second-half to lead Tunisia in the Group A game.

It was the Olympic debut for both teams in men's basketball.  

Game Statistics

	Nigeria		Tunisia
2 Points	18 /47 (38%)	2 Points	15 /34 (44%)
3 Points	2 /13 (15%)	3 Points	8 /23 (35%)
Free Throws	18 /31 (58%)	Free Throws	2 /5 (40%)
Assists	9	Assists	15
Offensive Rebounds	20	Offensive Rebounds	12
Defensive Rebounds	22	Def. Rebounds	27
Steals	11	Steals	2
Blocked shots	3	Blocked shots	4
Turnovers	13	Turnovers	21
Fouls	17	Fouls	25
Fouls drawn	25	Fouls drawn	17
Points from Turnover	23	Points from Turnover	6
Points in Paint	34	Points in Paint	22
Second Chance	12	Second Chance	4
Fast Break	8	Fast Break	14
Biggest Lead	19	Biggest Lead	0
Biggest Scoring Run	11-0 (29-10)	Biggest Scoring Run	9-0 (45-40)

 

Pictures from the game

Nigeria's Alade Aminu (C) is challenged by Tunisia's Marouan Kechrid (front) and Tunisia's Mehdi Hafsi during their men's Group A basketball match

Nigeria's Chamberlain Oguchi (C) drives to the basket against Tunisia's Salah Mejri (L), Makram Ben Romdhane (front) and Mohamed Hadidane (obscure)

Tony Skinn (L) drives to the basket against Tunisia

 

 

Alade Aminu (R) dunks against Tunisia's Mokhtar Ghayaza

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[Anioma777]

Well done lads. Good positive start to the Olympic games

[O-Trice]

Having watched the game, it seems like its going to be tough for us to get too far but still early days and our first in olympics basketball.

We oblitered in the first and second quarter but they came at us real strong in the third and we barely scrapped through at the end.

Lithunia next on tuesday @ 1430 Nigerian time.

Fingers crossed!

[Big-K]

Our second half performance was very poor and the 4th quarter was like watching Super Eagles... We unbelievably blew a 19-point lead. If we played this way against the other teams, we'll be talking of losing by 20-30 points.

Anyway..nice to win our first ever Olympics basketball match

[Ajibs]

Our second half performance was very poor and the 4th quarter was like watching Super Eagles... We unbelievably blew a 19-point lead. If we played this way against the other teams, we'll be talking of losing by 20-30 points.

Anyway..nice to win our first ever Olympics basketball match

I missed the game and only watched the highlights. I was quite surprised at the lead we had at times in the game. I recall once seeing like 33 / 23 and we only ended the game with a 4 point lead. From what I recall of BBall seems we need to step up defense and also maybe rotate the team more so no one gets too tired.

But I was really nice to see us in the tournament at all. ESPECIALLY as we decided to miss out on our usual sure banker for a medal... Football!!!