AUS/NGR - Aussies maintain winning run

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NOVI SAD (FIBA U21 World Championship) - Australia secured their second win in two games with a hard-fought 77-73 win over Nigeria in Group C of the FIBA U19 World Championship.

Andrew Ogilvy scored a game-high 19 points, with three rebounds and one assist, and he was given superb support from two team-mates.

Pat Mills hit 16 points, plus six assists and three rebounds, while Daniel Jackson scored 17 points, with two assists and four rebounds.

Australia assume control of the group on four points, with Canada in second - the pair meet on Saturday in a key clash.

But Nigeria were determined opponents, even if a second defeat in two games - after an 82-60 loss to Canada - looks to have cost them qualification from the group.

Ibrahim Adamu Yusuf poured in 18 points, with seven rebounds and two assists, while three other Nigerians hit double figures for points.

After falling 17-10 behind in the first quarter, Nigeria were within four points of their opponents at the end of the second (38-34) and third quarters (59-55).

Mohammed Bukar’s pair of free throws, the sixth straight unanswered score by Nigeria, at the end of the second quarter pulled the Africans back into the contest after being 30-18 behind at one point.

It was nip and tuck throughout the third quarter but when Jackson made a three-pointer midway through, it put Australia 69-61 clear.

It was soon 74-68 when Nigeria came on strong again and Yusuf’s pair of free throws narrowed it to a tantalising 76-73 before Mills ended their fightback with free
throws of his own with 17 seconds left, and Australia held on for victory.

Neale Graham
FIBA