Nigeria’s D’Tigress are through to the final of the 2023 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket after a convincing 79-48 win against host Rwanda at the BK Arena on Thursday.
The defending champions, who improved their winning streak in the competition to 23-0, are through to their fourth straight final, where they will be facing record winners Senegal, who defeated Mali, for a chance at winning the title on Friday, August 5.
Congratulations Nigeria ????????????????????????????????
D'Tigress are through to their fourth straight #AfrobasketWomen final after beating Rwanda 79-48.
They are on course to defend their title#Afrosport #FIBAAfrica #Nigeria #DTigress #Rwanda #Basketball pic.twitter.com/nduLJYs2kA
— AfroSport (@AfroSportTV) August 3, 2023
Nigeria began the game on the front foot with a 16-point lead in a very one-sided first quarter. Rwanda looked better in the second quarter, but the five-time champions proved too much for them with a 22-12 score to take a 26-point lead into halftime.
The East Africans were much better in the third quarter, winning 17-14, but Nigeria quenched any thoughts of a comeback in the final quarter, outscoring them 21-13 to finish the game with a mammoth 31-point difference.
26-year-old forward Amy Okonkwo continued her shout for the Player of the Tournament award with another impressive performance, leading the D’Tigress with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 steals.
Tomi Taiwo scored 12 points, while Pallas Akpanah and Elizabeth Balogun followed suit with 10 points, 9 rebounds, and 10 points, 2 steals, and 2 blocks, respectively.
Destiney Philoxy and Janai Roberston dropped 21 points and 11 points apiece for the hosts, who were unable to replicate their quarterfinal performance against a much better Nigerian side.
In the other semifinal, eleven-time champion Senegal defeated the Eagles of Mali 75-65 in an exciting matchup that was filled with back-to-back action.
Cierra Dillard’s 33 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists, along with Aya Traore’s 16 points and 10-rebound double-double, powered the Lionesses to victory for their third final in a row.
Sika Kone scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, along with three steals, for the Malians, who also had Djeneba N’Diaye in double figures with 13 points.
Mali will face Rwanda in the third-place match on Thursday, August 5, while Nigeria and Senegal will lock horns in what will be their fourth encounter in the finals, with the D’Tigress victorious in the previous three contests.
