D’Tigress Bow Out Paris Olympics After Quarter-final Loss To US
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D’Tigress of Nigeria have crashed out of the women’s basketball event at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The team was defeated 88-74 by the US in the quarter-final of the competition at the Bercy Arena in Paris on Wednesday.
The fairy tale run of the Rena Wakama-led ladies came to a halt beneath the heels of the giant Americans.
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Nigeria had defeated Australia in their opening match, recording D’Tigress’ first win at the Olympics in 20 years.
The team then qualified for its first-ever appearance in the last eight of the Olympic basketball tournament after defeating Canada 79-70 in their last group game.
Against the US in the quarter-final, however, D’Tigress failed to conjure another historic victory.
The team initially kept pace with the Americans in the first quarter, and it finished 26-17.
The lead was extended to 52-33 by halftime, and Nigeria kept chasing, but the US team was unmatched.
The American held on for a 14-point victory over D’Tigress and progressed to the semi-finals.
Ezinne Kalu was D’Tigress’ best player throughout the tournament. Her aggressiveness and expressions on the court rubbed off her teammates.
Amy Okonkwo, the team captain, also had a brilliant competition alongside Promise Amukamara and Musa Marjanatu.