FIBA 2019 WCQ: How Nigeria beat CIV to stay perfect

Five D’Tigers dropped double digit points as D’Tigers beat CIV 84-73 at Lagos National Stadium on Friday to stay unbeaten in their FIBA World Cup qualifiers.

Obi Emegano (15), Ike Diogu (13), Al Farouq Aminu (11), Ike Iroegbu (11), Ike Nwamu (11) accounted for 61 of the 84 points scored by D’Tigers as they ensured a record of 7 wins from 7 games.

Al Farouq Aminu was instrumental as Nigeria won all quarters except the last quarter to ensure they remain unbeaten in the qualifeirs with a record of 7 wins from 7 games.

Al Farouq had 11 points on 4-for-7 shooting, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, a block and +15 efficiency.

Surprisingly, the Portland Trailblazers forward who shot 36.9% from trey in the 2017/18 NBA season missed all his attempted threes on Friday.

But that he made up for by leading the team in assist, block, efficiency and helping in locking out the Ivorians.

Obi Emegano led D’Tigers in scoring with 15 points, Benjamin Uzoh led in rebounds with 6, Alada Aminu lead in steal with 3 while Al Farouq Aminu with 1 and 4 led in block and assists.

Mouloukou Souleyman Diabate was Ivorians top performer with 11 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals.

D’Tigers led their counterparts 21-19 in first quarter, 20-13 in the second quarter, 23-16 in the third but relaxed in the last quarter as CIV took the 4th with 20-25.

Coach Alex Nwora would proud with his boys display as they smashed all the stats on Friday.

They shot 52% from 2pts while CIV had 45%, 38% from 3pts while CIV had 36%. They were excellent from the free throw line as they shot 80% while CIV shot 63%, they out-rebounded their rivals 40 to 31.

With all the goods pointed out, they didn’t share the ball enough as CIV posted 21 assists while they had 19, they turned the ball over 21 times the same times their opponents turned it over.

Up next for D’Tigers is a clash against Central Africa Republic who lost 65-66 to Mali in one of the games played today. In the other games played today, Senegal beat Rwanda 94-89.

Mali and Senegal will open the floor tomorrow, Rwanda will battle Cote D’Ivore while Nigeria will take on Central Africa Republic.

By: @1topham