Nigeria’s senior women basketball team, D’Tigress Thursday on France lost her second game to the Asian champions, North Korea by 77-60 points.
Korea started taking the 1st quarter 20-16; drew the 2nd quarter 16-16 ending the half time scores at 36-32. On resumption of the 3rd quarter Nigeria lost 19-22 and was seized by fatigue as the 4th quarter ended a whopping 19-9 in favor of Korea.
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Nigeria knew it will be tough as they met for the 3rd time having taken victory twice by whiskers at the Olympics winning 68-64 in 2004 and also winning 70-69 in 2016.
Coach Rena Wakama of Nigeria Sat starring into space thinking what hit her players as she made several changes to survive in her 18th game in charge winning 14 and now conceding her 5th loss.
Korea had lost to Germany 49-76 in the 1st game and needed a win terrible over Nigeria to have hope sustained as Nigeria drubbed Columbia 70-37 in her 1st game.
Korea was better off with points off turnovers 33-14; had 15-8 points from fast breaks but Nigeria had 12-5 points from second chances as well as 26-20 points on the paints.
The Koreans are regarded as the most successful team from Asia with 12 Asian titles; having been ranked 15th in the world she has made 17 appearances at FIBA wc winning Silver twice in 1967 and 1979. She was at the Olympics 7 times winning Silver in 1984.
Nigeria has earned 7 Afrobasket titles with 5 consecutive wins till 2025. She’s on her 3rd appearances at the world cup with quarterfinal in 2018 and 3 appearances at the Olympics with no medal.
Later today at 5pm Philippines will face THE German machines while Columbia will try a redemption outing against France at 8:30 pm.
On Saturday at 2pm Nigeria will meet Philippines; play against France on Sundau at 7pm and on Tuesday play her last group D games against Germany at 5pm.
