Basketball in Africa

Devoe Joseph poured in 33 points as Canada stormed to an 82-60 victory over Nigeria in their FIBA U19 World Championship Group C opener on Today.

Adeka Dauda's Nigeria, looking to become the first African nation to win the trophy, started brightly and had earned a six-point advantage at 25-19 a minute into the second quarter.

But the North Americans battled back and had restored parity by the halfway point with the scores tied at 35-35.

And Canada made the decisive break in the game in the third period, establishing what turned out to be an unassailable 61-48 lead.

Greg Francis' side continued to turn the screw in the final 10 minutes, pulling further away to finish as comfortable winners.

Joseph stole the show with his points haul but was ably supported by Boris Bakovic and Jon House, who netted 15 points apiece, and Kai Williams who managed 11.

Emmanuel Negedu led the way for the Africans with 16 points and 14 rebounds, while Ibrahim Adamu Yusuf contributed 11 points in the losing cause.

Mali Africa's other representative in the championship bowed to almighty USA by whooping 118-56 points, Lithuania lost to France in a close shave by 85-82 points, Brazil edge past Lebanon 83-67, Spain defeated Puerto Rico while host Serbia handed down a 78-61 defeat to China, the games between defending champion, Australia and Turkey and that of Argentina versus Korea were still on as at the time of filling this report.

Friday Pairings:
France Vs Brazil
Lebanon Vs Lithuania
Korea Vs Puerto Rico
Australia Vs Nigeria
Serbia Vs Mali
Canada Vs Turkey
Spain Vs Argentina
USA Vs China