Breaking: Nigeria’s D’Tigers shrug off first Tokyo Olympics loss, turn attention to Germany clash

Favourites Australia on Sunday beat Nigeria’s D’Tigers 84-67 to in their opening game of the 2020 Olympics at the Saitama Arena in Tokyo on Sunday.

The Nigerians, led by Miami Heat point guard Gabe Vincent, were impressive in the first quarter, matching the Boomers for strength as they tied the game 23-23 at the end of the quarter.

The Aussies led by three points going into half time 43-40 after winning the second quarter 20-17.

The Nigerians kept the margin minimal at the end of the third quarter with a six-point deficit: 58-52 in favour of the Bommers, but D’Tigers collapsed in the fourth quarter.

The Aussies, inspired by San Antonio Spurs point guard Patty Mills, led a late surge for 25 points, on five-of-eight three-pointers, with six assists, four rebounds and four steals.

The Nigerians showed a lot of improvement from their exhibition game defeat to the Aussies but again found it difficult curtailing their opponents in the final quarter of the game in Tokyo.

D’Tigers will now face Germany in their second game at the 2020 Olympics.