WUHAN, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- Russia won over Nigeria 82-77, snatching its first victory at the FIBA Basketball World Cup's Group B opener here on Saturday.
Mikhail Kulagin of Russia earned 16 points, and Audrey Zubkov added 12, plus four assists and four rebounds to the winner. Nigeria's Josh Okogie led the game with 18 points.
Benjamin Uzoh led Nigeria a 4-0 spurt at the beginning of the match, But Russia responded a 10-0 scoring run. Just as Russian Basketball Federation president Andrei Kirilenko said before the tournament, the Russian team played smarter and slowed the game down a little bit. Before the second quarter, Russia led 18-13.
Nigeria kept chasing the score-line through its physical and talents advantages, but the European powerhouse responded with solid defense and ironic tactical disciplines.
Nigeria's Benjamin Uzoh pocketed five points, trimming the deficits to two-points in the mid-way of the second period. But NBA player Josh Okogie missed two three-pointers before the interval, making his team trail by 40-35.
Al-Farouq Aminu of Nigeria narrowed the gap of the score-line to one point when 2:51 left on the third period. Although Sergey Karasev's accurately three-point shot kept Russia lead, Josh Okogie made three free throws before the end of the third quarter, helping the African team hold a 58-58 draw.
Benjamin Uzoh made Nigeria lead 60-58 at the beginning of the final period, before his team enjoying a 10-2 run. The Russians answered with a 10-3 run. With 13.3 seconds remaining on the clock, Andrey Vorontsevich of Russia suffered a foul drawn, he built a four-point advantage and let the game beyond his rival's reach.
