Nigeria qualify for first AfroBasket final in 12 years

Nigeria reached the final of the AfroBasket 2015 after an 88-79 overtime win over Senegal on Saturday in Rades, Tunisia.

The win ended Senegal’s five-game winning streak in the tournament and propelled Nigeria to the final for the first time since 2003.

Chamberlain Oguchi made 8 of his 13 three-pointers to lead all scorers with 28 points, while Gorgui Dieng, who spent the entire 45 minutes and was in foul limit, propelled Senegal with 20 points and a game-high 16 rebounds.

Nigeria’s nine-point lead in the second was short-lived as Ibrahima Thomas hit a three-pointer with three seconds to give Senegal a 37-35 half-time lead.

But when Nigeria entered the final minute of the regulation leading 76-73, Dieng thought they needed extra five minutes, making a three-pointer to tie the contest at 76-76.

Nigeria’s team rotation proved crucial as their bench came with a pivotal 21-point contribution.

Photo credit: fiba.com