D’Tigers win again, beat Kenya 71-55 at AfroBasket

D’Tigers beat Kenya’s senior men’s basketball team 71-55 on Friday in Kigali to set the stage for their final group game on Sunday at the 2021 FIBA AfroBasket in Rwanda.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigerian senior men’s basketball team won the first quarter 20-8, only to lose 14-18 in the second quarter.

They however resurged in the game’s second half, winning 15-13 and 22-16 in the third and fourth quarters respectively.

The Nigerian side, after having won their opening game, 81-73 against Mali on Wednesday, therefore lead Group C ahead of the group’s other match of the day.

Cote d’Ivoire, who beat Kenya 88-70 on Wednesday, were taking on Mali later on Friday.

Jeremiah Mordi was D’Tigers’ best performer on Friday against Kenya with 10 points and five rebounds, as well as two assists, one block and three steals.

Albert Odero of Kenya however outshone him in the match as overall best performer with 23 points and eight rebounds for his team.

Uzodinma Utomi had 17 points to emerge as Nigeria’s top scorer, while Stephen Domingo had eight rebounds and six assists.

NAN reports that D’Tigers now have to win against Cote d’Ivoire on Sunday to qualify directly for the quarter-finals.

A loss will see them finishing second to battle for qualification for the quarter-finals among the second-placed and third-placed teams.