The D’Tigress bowed out of the Paris 2024 Women’s Basketball event but not without a fight as they lost a closely fought encounter 74-88 to Team USA.
The coach Rena Wakama-led side only on Sunday made history in this Olympics by becoming the first African side – male or female – to reach the quarter-finals of an Olympic Games after beating Canada in their final group game lost 74 to 88 to United States, who will next face Australia in the semifinals.
Last night, the Americans raced in front in the first quarter with 26 to 19 points and followed up with an identical 26 points as against the D’Tigress 16 in a pulsating gritty encounter in the second quarter.
Ezinne Kanu and Murijanatu Musa proved pivotal to Nigeria’s aspirations yet the D’Tigress were back on the back foot in the third quarter losing 15-24.
Remarkably, the D’Tigress showed their strength in depth in the last quarter with an amazing 26 points as against America’s 12.
But it was a case of too little, too late as the Americans won the encounter 88-74.
Defeat notwithstanding, the D’Tigress can be proud of their achievement at this Paris 2024 Olympics as they earned huge salutation for their gusty performance against the Americans who progressed to the semi-finals.
