late surge from the Australians at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium on Monday.
Kalu’s clutch playmaking and scoring proved instrumental in Nigeria’s historic win, as the team showcased their skill, determination, and teamwork to outlast their opponents. Despite a late rally from the Aussies, the D’Tigress maintained their composure and poise, securing a memorable victory that will go down in Olympic history.
This remarkable win marks a significant milestone for Nigerian basketball, as the D’Tigress continue to make waves in the international arena. With their sights set on advancing to the next stage, the team will look to build on this momentum and make a lasting impact at the Paris Olympics.
Nigeria’s D’Tigress secured their first Olympic win since 2004, defeating Australia’s Opals 75-62, with Ezinne Kalu starring with 19 points and five rebounds. Australia dominated early, racing to a 13-5 lead, but Kalu sparked a Nigerian comeback, scoring 11 points, including three three-pointers, to put her team ahead 18-17 after the first quarter. Kalu’s brilliance continued, inspiring the D’Tigress to a historic victory over the world’s third-ranked team.
Kalu continued to run the play in the second quarter. With Amy Okonkwo and Elizabeth Balogun adding to the Opals’ woes, the D’Tigresses went into half-time with a surprise 41-28 lead.
An astonishing 16 turnovers by the Aussie players had a telling say on the scoreboard. Nigeria, in comparison, had only eight in the first half.
Australia’s Opals, seeking to reclaim momentum, mounted a second-half comeback led by Alanna Smith, gradually narrowing the deficit to four points by the final quarter. The last quarter was intense, with the Opals trailing by just two points with six minutes left. However, a crucial turning point occurred when Smith missed two free throws, while Nigeria’s Promise Amukamara sank hers, followed by an assist to Okonkwo for a three-pointer, extending their lead to seven points. This cushion allowed Nigeria to control the game’s closing stages and secure a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria’s D’Tigress will continue their Olympic journey with a challenging Group B schedule, facing host nation France on Thursday, followed by a highly anticipated matchup against fifth-ranked Canada next Monday.
