Gallant D’Tigress bow to USA in FIBA World Cup quarter-final

Nigeria women’s basketball team, D’Tigress lost to their American counterparts in a thrilling quarter-final clash at the FIBA Women’s World Cup in Spain.

A mentally and physically strong Nigeria took the lead with a 9-17 scoreline in the first quarter, but the United States rallied back in the second quarter to win 18-6, as the first half ended 27-23.

USA, defending champions and tournament favourites, extended their lead in the third quarter 19-12 (46-35 cumulative) and totally outclassed D’Tigress in the fourth quarter to round up their victory with a 71-40 final scoreline.

African champions, D’Tigress lost in spite of their impressive performance.

Read Also: Record-breaking D’Tigress hail NBBF for support at FIBA World Cup

For Nigeria, the 2018 competition, being held in Tenerife, Spain, has been their best outing at the global stage as they set a couple of records in the African continent.

The Otis Hughley girls kicked off their campaign with a disappointing 86-68 loss to Australia, but bounced back in their second game to win 74-68 against Turkey.

Having became only the second African team to win a match at the FIBA Women’s World Cup, they went on to defeat Argentina 75-70 in their final group game to become the first to win two consecutive World Cup matches in the continent.

The Nigerian ladies faced a tough test against Greece in the quarter-final qualifier but scaled through with a 57-56 victory to seal another continental record, as they reached the quarterfinals where they fell to world number one, United States.

With her amazing displays throughout the competition, D’Tigress forward, Evelyn Akhator has been nominated alongside 13 other players for the MVP award at the 2018 FIBA showpiece.

 

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