Mikhail Kulagin (R) of Russia breaks through during the group B match between Russia and Nigeria at the 2019 FIBA World Cup in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Aug. 31, 2019. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)
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.
"You know, it's pretty an emotional win for us," Russian coach Sergey Bazarevich said: "The first game is always the nervous one, and I'm just really satisfied with the characters our players show."
Sergey Bazarevich, head coach of Russia, instructs during the group B match between Russia and Nigeria at the 2019 FIBA World Cup in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Aug. 31, 2019. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
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 (R) of Nigeria goes for the basket during the group B match between Russia and Nigeria at the 2019 FIBA World Cup in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Aug. 31, 2019. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)
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.
"It is the most important game in the group, because everybody told that Argentina is the dominator of the Group," Said Russian player Sergey Karasev.
"We need to keep going when facing South Korean," Karasev added.
