Nigeria Stuns Australia 73-62 in Women’s Group B: A Historic Olympic Victory

In a thrilling start to the day, Nigeria pulled off a major upset by defeating Australia 73-62, marking their first Olympic win in 20 years.

From the very beginning, D’Tigress displayed a fearless approach, applying full-court pressure and catching the Australians off-guard with their defensive prowess. Nigeria’s relentless defense limited the Opals to just 28 points in the first half, with a mere 11 points scored in the second quarter. Ezinne Kalu led the charge with 17 points and four 3-pointers, helping Nigeria to a surprising 41-28 lead at halftime.

Australia, the 2022 FIBA World Cup bronze medalists, showed their resilience in the second half. Alana Smith, who scored 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting, ignited the Opals’ offense, and the team managed to trim the lead to a single possession several times during the fourth quarter. However, Nigeria’s defense remained steadfast.

Dtigress beat Australia 75 – 62 at 2024 Paris Olympics

Despite shooting only 35% from the field, D’Tigress’s defensive tenacity was pivotal. They forced 26 turnovers, which led to a commanding 68-55 shot advantage. Australia struggled in the final minutes, scoring just six points in the last six minutes of the game. Key 3-pointers from Amy Okonkwo, including one crucial shot to push the lead back to seven, played a decisive role in sealing the victory. Okonkwo finished with 13 points, while Amukamara Promise contributed 14 points to the win.

With a challenging group that includes Canada and host nation France, this victory puts Nigeria in an excellent position to advance to the knockout stages for the first time ever. Their next matchup is against France on Thursday, August 1, while Australia will face Canada, looking to rebound and avoid an early exit.