Nigeria female basketball team, D’ Tigress outclassed Ivory Coast 98-43 points to get to the last four of the 2017 Afrobasket in Mali.
Evelyn Akhator led other four D’Tigress players on double figures. Akhator scored 21 points and 11 rebounds, her fourth double-double of the tournament.
Captain of the side Ezinne Kalu added 17 points and 8 assists. First bank Basketball Club duo of Nkechi Akashili and Upe Atosu made in 13 points, 4 rebounds and 12 points respectively while Ndidi Madu contributed 10 points and 5 rebounds.
Akhator who has been in phenomenal form in the competition wasted no time to get shots in the buckets. She made 5/7 of her free throws and 57.14% of her field goals.
Nigeria only missed 7 of 27 from the free throw line and scored 8/17 from the arc with the first quarter ending 23-13.
The damage was done early in the second quarter and the Ivorians who had it tough qualifying for the quarter final from group A, could not get in a shot till 4:43 minutes remaining (15-40).
D’Tigress had little to do in the second half as Ivory Coast could only make 16/60 field goals and committed 24 turnovers in the game.
The win sends Nigeria to the last four of the 2017 Afrobasket tournament. They will next face the winner between host Mali and Egypt in the semi finals on Saturday.
