Nigeria’s D’Tigress made Olympic history by becoming the first African team, male or female, to reach the Olympic quarterfinals in basketball. The team achieved this milestone by beating Canada 79-70 on Sunday.
As usual, Ezinne Kalu was hugely influential and did her usual thing by pulling the strings in the backcourt.
The playmaker registered 21 points, while Elizabeth Balogun chose a great time to have her best game in memory as she stepped up with 14 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists.
The Nigerians, with a 2-1 record, are now waiting to learn their next opponent. Their two wins in pool play mark a significant improvement for a country that came to France seeking its first Olympic victory since the 2004 Athens Games.
After their victory, the team gathered at midcourt to celebrate.
Canada, ranked fifth in the world, lost all three games and was eliminated on the last day of group play in the women’s basketball competition by the 12th ranked team.
Five countries, including the U.S., Spain, Serbia, France, and Germany, have already secured their spots in the quarterfinals. The final matchups will be determined after the last game between Australia and the host nation, France.
In a recent game, Nigeria scored the first six points, but then captain Amy Okonkwo injured her right shoulder in the second quarter. She collided with Canada forward Aaliyah Edwards while diving for a loose ball, and Canada led 41-37 at halftime.
Despite this setback, Okonkwo returned for the third quarter, during which Nigeria started with a 13-1 run. In the third quarter, Nigeria outscored Canada 23-5 and took a 60-46 lead into the fourth.
Elizabeth Balogun added 14 points for Nigeria, and Promise Amukamara had 12.
Shay Colley led Canada with 17 points, Bridget Carleton had 13 and Kayla Alexander 12.
