IN spite of sterling performances from Tony Skinn and the Aminu brothers, the D’Tigers on Tuesday failed to keep up their opening day performance as they lost 53-72 to Lithuania.

Playing their second Preliminary Round Group A game in the 2012 Olympic Games in London, the Nigerian men basketball side failed to come into the game.

Basking in the euphoria of their 60-56 win over Tunisia on Sunday, and having beaten the Lithuanians 86-80 recently in Venezuela, the Nigerian side was full of hopes.

But it needed more than hopes against the east Europeans who lost their opening game 79-102 on Sunday to Argentina.

Lithuania took the initiative early as the Nigerian side struggled with its pace, and it duly won the first quarter 14-8.

With poor shooting characterising the Nigerian team’s play, Lithuania widened its lead to 29-11 before Skinn’s inspiring play helped them to peg back their opponents for a 34-27 half-time score line.

Lithuania kept widening the lead as it showed near impeccable shooting and good technique to end the third quarter at 56-40, though Alade Aminu and brother Al-Farouq helped to keep Nigeria on.

With average performances from Ike Diogu, Koko Archibong and Derrick Obasohan, Lithuania just coasted on to win comfortably and bury the Nigerian ghost for now.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria will play its next match against the U.S tommorow, August 2, needing a good result to stay in contention for the quarter-finals.

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