FIBA Women’s W/Cup: D’Tigress create history, tackle USA for s/final

D'Tigress celebrate their victory over Greece

Nigeria on Wednesday became the first African side to win three matches in a row in the history of FIBA competitions, as D’Tigress defeated their counterparts from Greece 57-56 to qualify for the quarter-final at the ongoing 18th Women’s Basketball World Cup in Spain.

This came barely 24 hours after Nigeria became the first African country to win two FIBA-organised games in a row with the fall of Argentina in the last group game 75-70.

Nigeria will be aspiring to create another history as they face the United States of America (USA) tomorrow in a quarter-final clash at the San Cristobal de La Laguna, Santiago Martin Arena.

Having finished second in group B behind Australia, Nigeria took on Greece in a play-off at the Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Quico Cabrera Arena and beat the ninth-ranked team in the world to bag the quarter-final ticket, a feat first achieved by any black nation.

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The victory of the reigning African champions did not come to many basketball buffs as a surprise given their exploits in the competition having beaten Turkey and Argentina in the group stage after losing the opener to the Aussie ladies 86-68.

Interestingly, the victory of the Otis Hughley ladies on Wednesday, served as a perfect birthday present for the Minister of Youth and Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung, who clocked 54 on the day and was at the stand to witness the historic match in Tenerife.

However, the victory did not come on a silver platter, as the first quarter of the match ended 15 points apiece, while Nigeria won the second quarter 16-11 as well as the third quarter 17-11.

The Greeks came back stronger to win the last quarter 19-9 but the effort was not good enough to see them through as the Africans soared higher with only a point difference.

Greece led 56-55 with a few seconds left in the game before Nigeria rallied to two more points to carry the day.

Meanwhile, Besiktas of Turkey new signing, Evelyn Akhator also emerged Nigeria’s best performer in the game as she bagged 14 points, 13 rebounds, one block and four steals, but it was Maria Emmanouela Fasoula, who stole the show despite her side’s defeat as she produced 18 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks.