Nigeria’s D’Tigress pulled off a shocking 75-62 win against world number three, Australia, in Group B of the Paris 2024 Olympics in Lille, France, on Monday.
The last time D’Tigress won a game at the Olympics was at the Athens 2004 games which came in the classifications.
Ezinne Kalu, with 19 points and five rebounds, was the catalyst of what was a memorable win for world No. 12 Nigeria.
Australia showed some real urgency at the start and were all over D’Tigress in the opening few minutes as the Aussies raced to a 13-5 lead.
However, Nigeria, playing their second successive Summer Games, responded with a magnificent Kalu leading their lines, as they had their noses in front after the first quarter with 18-17 lead thanks to Kalu’s 11 points, which included three three-pointers.
Kalu continued to run the play in the second quarter. With Amy Okonkwo and Elizabeth Balogun adding to the Opals’ woes, the Nigerians went into half-time with a surprise 41-28 lead.
An astonishing 16 turnovers by the Aussie players had a telling say on the scoreboard. Nigeria, in comparison, had only eight in the first half.
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Australia needed a strong response in the second half and despite some resolute defending from the Nigerian players, they chipped away at the lead slowly with Alanna Smith leading the fightback.
Heading into the final quarter, the Aussies trailed by just four and had pulled themselves back into the basketball contest.
The final quarter proved to be a nervy affair. With just over six minutes left on the clock, the Australians trailed by just two before a disastrous spell of play transpired for them.
Smith, who had been excellent for the Australia in the match, missed two free throws before Promise Amukamara converted both of hers for Nigeria. Promise then set up Okonkwo for a three-pointer which saw the reigning four-time African champions go seven points clear.
The lead allowed Nigeria to dictate the play and wrap up the match comfortably.
D’Tigress will come up against hosts France on Thursday, August 1 while Australia will hope to bounce back when they face Canada.
