Patty Mills leads Australia to a win over Nigeria / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

Two teams that beat the USA this summer - Nigeria and Australia - have kicked off their Olympic runs. Australia (1-0) started the Olympics hot by beating Nigeria (0-1) 84-65(23-23, 20-17, 15-12, 26-15).

Player of the Game EFF 23 Patrick Mills Points 25 Accuracy 7-16 Rebounds 4 Assists 6

The game was tied in the middle of the first quarter, however, Australia went on a 7-0 run to go up 19-12 with 3:43 remaining. After the timeout, Nigeria answered with a run of their own, and the scales were even after the first quarter (23-23). Patty Mills was hot in the period, scoring eight points for Australia.

Both teams proceeded to go back and forth in the second period. After Joe Ingles' three, Australia gained a five-point advantage (39-34) with 3:15 on the clock. The Nigerians kept missing free throws (9 of 16 in the first half), however, they stayed within striking distance and were only down by three (43-40).

Australia started the third period with two back-to-back treys from Matthew Dellavedova and Patty Mills. The team kept the pressure and gained a double-digit lead with 4:51 remaining (53-42). Jordan Nwora answered with five straight points, and Nigeria ended the quarter trailing by six (58-52).

The African team struggled to find baskets in the fourth period. Meanwhile, Australia was firing on all cylinders and regained an 11-point lead after a Dellavedova 3-pointer with 7:12 remaining (67-56). Mills added seven straight points to put the game away from Nigeria's reach (74-58).

Nigerian only scored 15 points in the final period and just 25 points in the second half, while Australia scored 26 in the fourth quarter alone. They didn't have the best 2-point shooting night (17 of 48) but made up for it with 3-pointers (11 of 24).

Along with missing half of their free throws (12 of 24), Nigeria only made 39% of their field goals (24 of 61).

Australia: Patty Mills 25, Joe Ingles 11, Dante Exum 11, Nic Kay 10, Matisse Thybulle 9.

Nigeria: Obi Emegano 12, Jordan Nwora 10, Precious Achiuwa 10, Josh Okogie 9.

UP NEXT:

Nigeria will try to get their first win on Wednesday against Germany (04:00 EEST).

Australia will face undefeated Italy on Wednesday (11:20 EEST).

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