Nigeria’s women’s senior basketball team, the Dtigress have qualified for the quarter-finals of the ongoing Women’s Afrobasket championship in Kigali, Rwanda after an impressive 83-65 victory over Egypt on Sunday.
Both sides started the game slowly as Nigeria made 35% of their 2-point attempt while the Egyptians recorded just 21%. The Egyptian struggled from the 3-point line making just 1 out of 2 attempts while the DTigress, recorded 1 out of 3 attempts. Nigeria eventually got control of the game as they ended the first quarter 18-10.
Even though the DTigress outscored their opponents in the second quarter by 11 points, Rena Wakama ladies struggled from the 3-point line as they recorded just 10% of their shooting while Egypt recorded 25% after scoring just 1 out of 4 attempts. While the DTigress struggled from shooting the ball, they were ruthless from the free throw line as they scored 86% of their free throws.
The DTigress improved on their shooting in the third quarter as they started the quarter with a 38-23 lead. The Nigerian ladies recorded 80% of their 2-point attempt and 100% from the 3-point line. However, the Egyptians were ruthless from the free throw line and the 3-point line as they recorded an impressive 100% respectively as they won the third quarter 19-14.
The final quarter was keenly contested by both sides in terms of stats and scores but the DTigress edged their opponents by four points as the final quarter ended 27-24 points in favour of Nigeria.
Amy Okonkwo Nigeria’s forward, who plays for Halcones de Xalapa Femenil in Mexico scored 29 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists while Murjanatu Musa, the 2019 Zenith Basketball League MVP scored 18 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists.
The DTigress have now qualified for the quarter-finals of the competition as they look to win a record-equalling fourth consecutive title – a feat currently held by Senegal.
