D’Tigress Wins Third Consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Title
Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress won it’s third consecutive FIBA AfroBasket championship after beating Mali 70-59 at Palais Polyvalent des Sports in Yaounde, Cameroon.
Nigeria won the previous editions in 2017 and 2019.
D’Tigress won the first quarter 22-11 but the Malians bounced back to take the second quarter 13-9 to make it a tight contest at half-time.
In the third quarter, D’Tigress took over the contest in fine fashion as Captain Adaora Elonu, Victoria Macaulay and Ezinne Kalu combined well to win the quarter 28-14.
In the fourth quarter, coach Otis Hughley’s team sustained the momentum and with four minutes remaining, they enjoyed a 20-point lead over their opponents.
Mali put up a late fight to win the 4th quarter 21-11 and reduced the deficit to 11 points. However, the Nigerians had done enough to secure the historic victory.
Macaulay emerged Nigeria’s top performer with 15 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 3 blocks.
Mariam Coulibally recorded 13 points and 9 rebounds to finish as top performer for Mali.
Captain Elonu and Kalu were made the tournament’s All-Star 5. The hardworking Elonu was also voted the MVP of the tournament.
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This is Nigeria’s 5th Afrobasket title with previous successes in 2003 and 2005.
The D’Tigress have also qualified for the 2022 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Australia.
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Chidi Nwoke/NBBF.
