D’Tigers shatter form books, beat Lithuania

D’Tigers, Nigeria’s male basketball squad caused the biggest upset of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying tournament by disposing of Lithuania 86-80 in a game filled with big shots.

Nigeria’s lead reached double figures on multiple occasions but the Green Machine always answered, usually through Linas Kleiza (22 points, 4 rebounds).

What a day it was in Caracas!

Derrick Obasohan (20 points, 5/8 three-point shooting), Al Farouq Aminu (16 points, 9 rebounds) and Tony Skinn (15 points, 3 assists) took turns to be the hero, Skinn sinking the game-sealing shot in the last minute.

The African bronze medallists missed out on first place in the group, however, falling a mere four points short on points differential. The result means hosts Venezuela drop out of the tournament.

D'Tigers play Greece in the quarter finals on Friday