Back to back African Champions, D’Tigress defeated CIV to move a step closer to winning their third consecutive Afrobasket Championship.
D’Tigress defeated the Ivorians 72-56 stamping their authority as back to back African Champions.
Nigeria began with a starting five of Ezinne Kalu, Victoria Macaulay, Ify Ibekwe, Odera Chidom and Captain Adaora Elonu.
D’Tigress started like a house on fire from the get go, racing into a 14-0 lead in the first quarter and eventually winning 24-8. Coach Otis Hughley’s girls didn’t relent in Q2 as they pulled more pressure on the Ivorians and extended their lead by 22 points heading into half-time with a 43-21 scoreline.
Q3 and Q4 were a little subdued as the Ivorians tightened things at the back and tried to get more buckets in but D’Tigress held on for an impressive win which saw them through to the semi-final of the 2021 Afrobasket in Yaounde.
In a sea of impressive performances all through the court, Ezinne Kalu once again was the standout performer for D’Tigress with 17 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists and 1 steal.
Nigeria’s D’Tigress will play the winner of the game between Mozambique and Senegal for a place in the final.