Nigeria’s senior basketball team, D’Tigress, lost 60-77 to South Korea in their second game at the ongoing FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Lyon.
The defeat marked their first loss in the qualifying series, coming less than 24 hours after Nigeria secured a commanding 70-37 victory over Colombia in their opener.
The Coach Rena Wakama-tutored side started on a flat foot, losing the first quarter 16-20, but responded in the second quarter to share the points 16-16, narrowing the scoreline at halftime to 32-36 in favour of South Korea.
The Asians produced a disciplined performance, especially in the final quarter, to overturn Nigeria’s historical dominance in the fixture. Before Thursday’s clash, D’Tigress had won both previous meetings between the teams.
The Koreans took the third quarter 19-22, going seven points clear heading into the fourth and final quarter.
The reigning AfroBasket champions failed to mount a comeback as South Korea tightened their defence and reinforced their attack to claim the fourth quarter, 9-19, recording their first win against Nigeria in three games.
D’Tigress will next face the Philippines in their third fixture, hoping to return to winning ways.
