Nigeria women’s senior basketball team, Dtigress began their FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifiers with a commanding victory over Colombia on Wednesday afternoon.
The reigning African champions were no match for the South Americans; they dominated the match from start to finish with a 70-37 win in Lyon, France.
It was the first-ever meeting between both countries at the senior level, and Rena Wakama’s ladies showed the gap in quality with a 43-point difference win.
The first two quarters were quite close. Nigeria won the first 18-12 while the Colombians edged the second by a point, 17-16.
However, DTigress came blew out the South Americans in the third and fourth quarters, limiting them to just eight points in both quarters.
Power forward, Victoria Macualay registered 13 points, six rebounds, and an assist, while Nicole Enabosi was arguably the best player on the court with 10 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists.
Colombia’s Jennifer Munoz and Mabel Martinez had six points each, while Daniella Gonzalez had five points, five rebounds, and assists in the blowout.
The Dtigress will take on South Korea tomorrow in the five-match series for the World Cup.
Note that Nigeria have qualified for the World Cup as reigning champions of the Afrobasket but are mandated to play the qualifying tournament by FIBA.
