Nigeria’s men’s basketball team D’Tigers on Sunday ended the first phase of their quest for qualification for the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup with an 82-59 win over hosts Mali.
The Ike Diogu captained side finished on top of the group with maximum six points and will head into the next phase of the qualifiers in June unbeaten.
They had defeated Uganda 102-86in their first match and Rwanda 108-53 in their second game.
In Sunday’s game, Nigeria dominated the first quarter, which they took 21-5 but the Malians rallied in the second quarter to earn a 16-16 draw against D’Tigers.
The hosts took a slim lead in the third quarter 21-20 but Nigeria completed the game in the last quarter winning 25-17.
