D’TIGRESS of Nigeria caused one of the biggest shocks of the Paris 2024 Olympics today with a 75-62 victory over Australia in the women’s basketball event.
The African champions took full advantage of Australia’s turnovers to claim their first Olympic win since the Athens 2004 Games.
Nigeria posted a spectacular 11-0 run to finish to the first half with a 13-point cushion heading to the break.
Australia’s Opals, who were the big favourites to win, rallied in the third quarter and got to within two points of D’Tigress.
But the Nigerians stayed resolute and finished strong in the fourth quarter to close out the famous win.
Ezinne Kalu, who had been out of the team since the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, drove D’Tigress to victory with her 19 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals.
Australia lost the ball a staggering 26 times in the game and that handed Nigeria a huge 26 points from turnovers.
This is Nigeria’s only second win in the Women’s Olympic Basketball tournament, after their 68-64 success against South Korea in 2004; it is however their first win in nine games in the preliminary round.
D’Tigress conceded only 62 points today, fewer than in any of their previous games in the competition, while Australia have lost their opening game of a Women’s Olympic Basketball tournament for the second edition in a row, after winning their previous six such games, according to FIBA statistics.
Also, this is Australia’s first defeat against a team from Africa in 12 games in major competitions (World Cup and Olympics).
D’Tigress made nine three-pointers today, more than in any of their previous nine games at the Olympics. They also made 15 steals, a joint-high for them in the competition (also 15 v Greece in 2004).
Kalu (19 points, 15 rebounds, 15 assists) became the first Nigerian player ever to register a 15/5/5 game in the Women’s Olympic Basketball tournament. She also made four three-pointers in the match, the most for a player with Nigeria in the competition.
D’Tigress next face hosts France on Thursday before rounding off their group phase three days later.
