Nigeria national basketball team, the D’Tigers, on Saturday, completed a double over host China at the 2016 Stankovic Cup.
The African champions, who defeated their Asian rivals in their opening game of the four-nation tournament, replicated that feat with a 74-64 win in the third-place play-off.
France claimed the title with a 70-57 victory over Argentina in the final.
China stormed to a 12-5 lead after the tip-off, while suffering a strong response as their stars were on the bench.
They continued their dominance in the early stages – leading by 18-14 as the first quarter ran out.
D’Tigers gradually came into the game after their host had established a seven-point margin early in the second period.
The tide however turned with the Nigerians showing their offensive prowess to overturn the deficit and lead by three points going into the half time.
China once again possessed a four-point advantage into the final 12 minutes, before the West Africans took on a 9-2 run.
D’Tigers out-rebounded their opponents at 41-33, and then grabbed 16 offensive rebounds to hold on for a famous victory.
Next up for Will Voigt’s team is a trip to Las Vegas, United States of America (USA) – where they will face the star-studded American Dream Team.
Nigeria are drawn in Group B at this summer’s Rio Olympics alongside host Brazil, Spain, Argentina and Lithuania.
