Nigeria’s top performer shoots a three-pointer in the final group B match against Italy. Photo: @NigeriaBasket

D’Tigers power forward, Chimezie Metu, scored an impressive 22 points but his effort was not good enough to stop Nigeria from recording another defeat in the men’s basketball event of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Nigeria lost 71-80 to Italy in the final group B match at the Saitama Super Arena.

The result means Italy will be back to the Olympic quarter-finals, making it the fifth consecutive Olympics appearance for the Italians in the last 8.

Italy started the game well, winning the first quarter 29-17 points. Coach Mike Brown re-strategised and made a rejuvenated return to winning the second and third quarters.

After the third quarter, Nigeria had a 63-56 lead before everything went wrong for the D’Tigers in the fourth quarter.

Nigeria’s Jahlil Okafor goes to the basket past Italy’s Amedeo Tessitori (C) in the men’s preliminary round group B basketball match between Italy and Nigeria during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama on July 31, 2021. (Photo by Aris MESSINIS / AFP)

Nigeria’s Ike Nwamu dribbles the ball past Italy’s Alessandro Pajola (R) in the men’s preliminary round group B basketball match between Italy and Nigeria during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama on July 31, 2021. (Photo by Aris MESSINIS / AFP)

For almost seven minutes, the Nigerian side failed to score and left open spaces for the Italians and failed to convert the little chances they struggled to create.

On the other hand, Nicolo Melli scored 15 points, Nico Mannion had 14, Achille Polonara added 13, while Simone Fontecchio scored 12 for Italy.

Italy’s Danilo Gallinari shields Nigeria’s Jahill Okafor in the final group B match at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in Japan. Photo: @NigeriaBasket

The European team capitalised on a 14-0 lead they built in the fourth quarter to hold on till the end of the game. They will confirm their position (first or second) on the group standings after the game between Germany and Australia.

The Italians won silver at the 2004 Athens Olympics and will be hoping to improve on that performance in Tokyo.

Nigeria’s Chimezie Metu reacts as Italy’s players (background) celebrate their victory at the end of the men’s preliminary round group B basketball match between Italy and Nigeria during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama on July 31, 2021. (Photo by Aris MESSINIS / AFP)

Nigeria’s Nnamdi Vincent reacts after their defeat at the end of the men’s preliminary round group B basketball match between Italy and Nigeria during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama on July 31, 2021. (Photo by Aris MESSINIS / AFP)

Nigeria’s Jordan Nwora goes to the basket past Italy’s Danilo Gallinari (2R) in the men’s preliminary round group B basketball match between Italy and Nigeria during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama on July 31, 2021. (Photo by Aris MESSINIS / AFP)

Another impressive performer for Team Nigeria was Jordan Nwora who scored 20 for the D’Tigers while Jahill Okafor recorded 14 for Coach Brown’s team whose Olympics campaign came to an end without a win.