African Champions, Nigeria D’Tigress will face reigning champions, USA in the women’s basketball quarter-finals match of the Paris 2024 Olympics on Wednesday, www.aclsports.com reports.
The D’Tigress made history by becoming the first African Nation to ever reach the last eight of an Olympic basketball tournament, men and women included.
Nigeria clinched their place by beating Canada 79-70 on Sunday, after producing an outstanding performance in the third and fourth quarters of the encounter.
In the first quarter, both teams played mostly defensively with the quarter ending in a draw (18 to 18 points). Upon resumption of the second quarter, the Canadians were more aggressive making points off Nigeria leading by 41 to 37 points after Nigeria reduced the deficit.
The Nigerians outscored the Canadians 23-5 in the third quarter as it ended 60 to 46 points in favour of D’Tigress. US-born Ezinne Kalu top-scored with 21 points and Elizabeth Balogun scored 14 points with Nigeria winning the encounter by 79 to 70 points.
Host nations France play Germany while Spain takes on Belgium. The first match of the day on Wednesday pits Serbia against Australia.
Group Stage Matches:
Nigeria 75-62 Australia
France 75-54 Nigeria
Canada 70-79 Nigeria
