2024 Olympics: D'Tigress upset Australia in Group B

Nigeria's women's Basketball national team, DTigress showed great character on Monday in their first Group B match of the Paris 2024 Olympics as they took down super-house Australia to record a historic victory at the Games.

The victory over Australia at the Stade Manoey in Lille was the second-ever victory at the Olympic Games for the four-time African champions.

The Australians started like a house on fire and led 13-5 in the early stages but successive turnovers handed the initiative to the Nigerian side. 

Five-time Olympic champions, Australia, are the third best-ranked side in the globe, however, the Nigerians took charge of proceedings at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille and despite a late charge from the Opals, saw off the threat to claim the first quarter-18-17.

Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu was instrumental as she produced 11 points which included three-pointers.

Kalu continued her fantastic run in the second quarter and was ably supported by the other impressive cast, Amy Okonkwo (captain) and Elizabeth Balogun. 

D'Tigress went into the break with a 41-28 lead with the Aussies' 16 turnovers hugely responsible for the pendulum swinging in favour of Nigeria. 

The final quarter was a nervous affair but the Africans held on to win 75-62. 

The team coached by Rema Wakama will face France in their next game on Thursday at 4.15 pm Nigerian time.