The team showed some signs of
exploit in the early minutes of the game but succumbed and never regained its
focus from the second quarter of the game.
Alade Aminu, Ike Diogu, Uzoh
Ben, Chamberlin Oguchi were all at their best as Nigeria dominated proceedings
in the first quarter, having led 16-15.
The tide turned around in the
second quarter when D’Tigers were forced to commit some fouls, leading to free
throws which the Brazilians converted.
Brazilian point guard Raulzinho Neto, kept D’Tigers on check as the hosts made
18 turnovers against Nigeria’s 11 to rally to a 42-31 lead at the end of the
second quarter.
D’Tigers came close to
stealing the show in the third quarter but the combination of Chicago Bulls
Felicio Cristiano and Houston Rockets forward Nene, ensured the Nigerians did
not get more opportunities to shoot from the centre.
The third quarter, however,
ended 59-52 in favour of the hosts.
The Brazilians continued their
dominance and produced 10 steals against Nigeria’s three to end the last
quarter 86-69.
The defeat ensured D’Tigers
had no chance of progressing in the Olympics after raising the hopes of
Nigerians with a stunning 90-76 defeat against Croatia.
The defeat of Croatia was
Nigeria’s first win of the Olympics basketball event after a string of disappointing
defeats to Argentina, Lithuania and Spain in their first, second and third
games
Brazil, 2-3, awaits the
outcome of the final Group B games later in the day to see whether it is
through to the quarter-finals.
Brazil is vying with Spain and
Croatia to become the last two teams from Group B to survive to the knockout
phase.
Both Argentina and Lithuania
are already ensured passage to the quarters with 3-1 records.
Spain, 2-2, plays Argentina
later Monday and Croatia, also 2-2, faces Lithuania.
The USA, at 5-0, along with
France, Australia and Serbia have advanced out of Group A.
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