NIGERIA’s D’Tigress have started their Paris 2024 Olympics campaign on an impressive note, stunning world number three Australia in the women’s basketball event of the Games.
The Nigerian girls won the Monday basketball encounter 75-62 in the French city of Lille.
The D’Tigress had an 11-0 run to end the first half on a good note, getting a 13-point advantage. That proved to be okay to keep the Opals of Australia at bay with Amy Okonkwo getting a triple to make things better for coach Rena Wakama’s charges.
Nigeria’s Ezinne Kalu was impressive on the day and fired 19 points, five rebounds, three assists, and three steals to make her return to the side since playing at the Tokyo 2020 Games.
The Opals spilled the ball 26 times in the match, giving Nigeria a staggering 26 points from turnovers.
Monday’s win is Nigeria’s second victory in the Women’s Olympic Basketball tournament. The first was in 2004 when they beat South Korea 68-64. But it is the D’Tigress’ maiden win in nine preliminary rounds.
The defeat is Australia’s second in their opening game of a Women’s Olympic Basketball event for the second time on the bounce. They had before then claimed victory in their past six games.
Nigeria is now the first African country to have defeated Australia in 12 games at the World Cup and Olympics.
