Nigeria became the first team to reach the AfroBasket 2015 after an 88-79 overtime win over Senegal on Saturday in Rades, Tunisia.
The win ends Senegal’s five-game winning streak in the tournament.
Nigeria’s sharpshooter, Chamberlain Oguchi, made eight 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.
It was a balanced game with seven lead changes.
Nigeria’s nine-point lead in the second was short-lived as Ibrahima Thomas hit a three-pointer with three seconds left 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.
With the result Nigeria, reaches the AfroBasket final for the first time since 2003.
Our earlier story: Nigeria on Saturday qualified for the final round of the Afro Basketball Nations Cup.
The country’s national team defeated Senegal.
D’Tigers, as the national team is known, defeated the Senegalese 88-79.
D’Tigers will now meet the winner of the other semi-final match between Tunisia and Angola.
If D’Tigers win the final match, it will qualify for the basketball tournament of the 2016 Olympic Gmes in Rio, Brazil.
Senegal denied Nigeria the ticket to the 2012 Olympic Games.