Nigeria’s D’Tigress fell to Raptors Basketball club of Lagos 51-71 at the Indoor Sports Hall, National Stadium Lagos on Wednesday.
The game was their first test match ahead of the 2017 Afrobasket Women competition scheduled to take place in Mali.
The Division 1 side led with 10 points in the opening minutes of the 1st quarter as the D’Tigress failed to get into their rhythm quickly.
Despite making a steady recovery into the game, it was a case of too little too late as the Senior Women’s National team trailed by 25-14 at the end of the 1st quarter.
The second quarter saw a D’Tigress team close in the gap with a high level of defensive discipline heading to the break 30-28
Raptors used physical advantage in the third quarter stretching the lead by 56-38 while D’Tigress could only manage 10 points.
The Peter Ahmedu-led side found it too difficult to close in the gap after much of the damage had been done in the first half.
Speaking after the game, the team’s assistant coach, Peter Ahmedu believes the team will get better after playing more friendlies.
“With what I have seen so far, I am very impressed because this is the first game we are playing together since the arrival of the foreign players from the United States of America,” said Ahmedu.
“Managing over 20 girls on the bench was another problem. To look at them and pass instruction was another problem.”
He promised to go back to the drawing board, making the necessary corrections with the Technical crew headed by Sam Vincent who arrived Lagos on Wednesday.
On his part, Raptors handler Charles Ibeziako said it was a great privilege playing against one of the national teams.
Despite losing to Raptors, Ibeziako was full of praise for the D’Tigress.
“Women playing against men is a tough game. But with what I have seen, they are tough and will represent Nigeria very well.”
The final list for the Afrobasket is expected soon.
