FIBA U19 WWC: Nigeria stun China in thrilling opener

Nigeria’s U19 women’s basketball team, marked a historic return to the FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup with a thrilling 93–88 victory over China on July 12, 2025, in Brno, Czech Republic, www.aclsports.com reports.

Junior D’Tigress snatched victory from the hands of highly ranked China with a brilliant second-half comeback and a dominant final quarter.

Stanford freshman Nora Ezike stole the show for Nigeria, dropping a game-high 25 points along with six rebounds and two steals, all in just two quarters of action. Remarkably, she only played the third and fourth quarters, yet completely changed the course of the game with her presence and efficiency.

She wasn’t alone in the spotlight. Pius Idubamo Beggi added 18 points, five assists, and four rebounds, stepping up in the clutch to support the team’s late surge. Together with Ezike, she formed a lethal combination that China simply couldn’t contain in the final 20 minutes.

The result was historic not just for the scoreline but for what it represents. It marked Nigeria’s first appearance at the tournament in 14 years and their first-ever win in U19 World Cup history.

China, for all their early dominance, couldn’t hold off Nigeria’s late charge. Their defense faltered in key moments, and they struggled to handle Nigeria’s energy and ball movement as the game wore on.

Nigeria now carry momentum into their next Group B clashes against Canada and Portugal. With one foot already in the knockout rounds, Junior D’Tigress look like a side capable of making a deep run.

Final Score: Nigeria 93–88 China

Quarter Scores:
Q1: Nigeria 16 – China 24

Q2: Nigeria 22 – China 20

Q3: Nigeria 23 – China 16

Q4: Nigeria 32 – China 28

The team’s intensity, depth, and execution suggest that this could be more than just a memorable win, it could be the start of something special. And if Ezike continues to deliver at this level, even in limited minutes, Nigeria will be a dangerous opponent for any team in Brno.