Nigeria’s female basketball team D’Tigress lose to U.S., crash out of Paris Olympics
- Singing the National Anthem before the game with U.S.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Nigeria’s female basketball team D’Tigress has crashed out of the ongoing Olympics tournament in Paris following their 74-88 loss in the quarterfinals to U.S.
The Nigerian team had a spectacular game in the 4th quarter, outscoring the United States by (26-12), however it wasn’t enough to upset the deficit of the last three quarters.
D’Tigress will exit the tournament as the first African team to ever reach the Olympics quarterfinals.
Despite the loss, the team blazed a historic trail, becoming the first African team to make it beyond the Group phase at the Olympics.
They shot down Canada 79-70 to become the first ever African team (women or men) to take a ticket for the last eight.
Also winning two games for the first time at the Olympics, the manner of the victory was impressive as they condemned winless Canada to an early trip home.
READ ALSO: D’Tigress beat Canada 79-70, qualify for first ever Olympics’ Q’final
Nigeria gained the upper hand in the contest with a stunning 11-0 run to start the second half. It left Canada reeling and their opponents never recovered.
Ezinne Kalu registered 21 points, while Elizabeth Balogun chose a great time to have her best game in memory as she stepped up with 14 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists.
Before the match with the U.S. team, they won two of their three games against Australia and Canada.
Before this year, the teams from Africa tallied only one win in 37 games played in the Women’s tournament in 2004.
Ezinne Kalu scored 21 points in the game against Canada, only Mfon Udoka (3 games in 2004) previously managed to score 20+ points with Nigeria in a game at the Olympics.
Promise Amukamara made five steals against Canada, the second-most for a player with a team from Africa in a game at the Olympics.
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