Nigeria goes to 9th-12th play-offs in women's basketball

Nigeria went to the 9th-12th play-offs of the Athens Olympic women's basketball tournament after losing its final preliminary group A match 93-58 to Russia Sunday in Athens.

Mfon Udoka scored 19 points to lead the Africans, who lost all five matches in the round-robin preliminaries.

"We tried our best, but our lack of experience was evident," said Aisha Mohammed, who contributed nine points and eight rebounds for Nigeria.

"I hope we can do better in the future."

Nigeria's American coach Samuel Vincent agreed with his player.

"Aisha is right, the lack of experience of this team is showing," Vincent said.

"We got smacked around by the other teams and it's really painful,"

"But we have to take it as part of a learning experience, work on our program, identify and build a new team for the future."

Nigeria stayed within 58-44 in the third quarter, but the Russians staged a 27-7 run from then on to build a 85-51 lead with three minutes left.

"I like some Nigerian players, especially No. 11 (Mfon Udoka), who has some interesting characteristics in her game," said Russian head coach Vadim Kapranov.

"In every game she scores 20 points, and she requires special attention from the opposing team."

"I would like to wish Nigeria to achieve in the future much more than they have here."

All 12 players from Russia got their names on the scoresheet while point guard Oxana Rakhmatulina led with 15 points. IIona Korstin and Olga Arteshina added 13 and 12 points respectively.