World Cup qualifiers: D’Tigress lose to China, play France today

D’Tigress suffered an opening day defeat to China 90-76 at the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup, which dunked off Thursday, The PUNCH reports. 

The team, who had a poor build-up to the tournament, lost the first three quarters 29-14, 25-22 and 25-16 but bounced back to win the final quarter 11-24. 

Amy Okonkwo recorded 15 points, Adaora Elonu and Pallas Akpanah scored 12 points each, while Promise Amukamara bagged 10 points in the defeat. 

The African champions will aim to bounce back from the defeat when they take on France, who defeated Mali 77-66 in the other group fixture in their next qualification game scheduled for Friday (today). 

China leads Group B with two points, with a superior points difference of +14 recorded ahead of second-place France, who had +11 after the first round of matches. 

Mali is third with a point difference of -11 while D’Tigress have -14. 

Three teams will qualify from each group to the World Cup. 

Punch/Nnenna.O