Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, faced their first defeat at the Paris 2024 Olympics, losing 75-54 to France in their second Group C game on Thursday.
After a strong start with a 75-54 win over Australia, D’Tigress struggled against a tough French defense. Ezinne Kalu, a New Jersey-born point guard and three-time AfroBasket champion, stood out again with an impressive performance, scoring 18 points.
Rena Wakama’s team had hoped for a second consecutive win but was outplayed by France. Gabby Williams led France with 14 points, seven assists, and six steals, while Marine Johannes added 15 points. France's strong defense and physical play were key, with the team committing 14 fouls and making 13 steals. Their size advantage was also evident, as they shot 22-of-35 from inside the 3-point line.
Despite Kalu's efforts, D’Tigress struggled to match their previous scoring output against Australia, with only Murjanatu Liman Musa providing significant support with 14 points. Nigeria's total points were much lower than their opening game, with 15 points coming from free throws.
D’Tigress now have a 1-1 record, the same as Australia, while Canada stands at 0-2.
