The FIBA rankings did not come into play on Monday as Nigeria’s D’Tigress, the lowest-ranked side in the women’s basketball tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics, recorded one of their biggest ever wins as they saw off Australia 75-62 in their opening game.
The Rena Wakama-led side stunned the Opals, who are ranked fourth in the FIBA Power rankings, to record their first win in the two decades at the Olympics, with Ezinne Kalu leading the team with 19 points, while Promise Amukamara (14 points) and Amy Okonkwo (13 points) combined for 27 points.
Biggest upset of the Olympics so far? 🤯
Nigeria 🇳🇬 take down Australia 🇦🇺 for a massive #Paris2024 debut! #Basketball pic.twitter.com/i1FAgY66qW
— FIBA (@FIBA) July 29, 2024
Nigeria entered Monday’s game with little to no chance of winning, but they got off to a great start, taking the first quarter 18-17 with Kalu putting the team on her back as she displayed an offensive clinic.
The D’Tigress went on an 11-0 run to end the second quarter as they took a 13-point lead into the halftime break. Although the Opals took the third quarter 19-10 and lowered the deficit to within one point, Okonkwo hit a timely three-pointer with four minutes on the clock, and clutch free throws from Amukamara helped the six-time Afrobasket champions clinch a 24-15 win in the final round.
The Nigerian side was efficient on defence, forcing Australia to a mammoth 26 turnovers in the game, which handed the D’Tigress a whopping 26 points off the turnovers.
Murjanatu Musa, who was particularly Nigeria’s shining light on defence, poured in eleven points and seven rebounds, as well as helping with four steals and one block. Elizabeth Balogun supplied nine points, four rebounds, and two blocks.
Assignment delivered pic.twitter.com/3OlZsoo1D5
— DTigress (@DtigressNG) July 29, 2024
For the Opals, Alanna Smith of the Minnesota Lynx in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) led with 15 points. Seattle Storms’ guard Sami Whitcomb followed suit with 13 points, while Ezi Magbebor, who is of Nigerian heritage, added nine points.
The D’Tigress will play France in their second Group B game on Thursday, August 1, knowing that a win guarantees them a spot in the quarterfinals.
