Nigeria’s D’Tigress faced a tough 74-88 defeat against the U.S. women’s basketball team in the quarter-finals of the 2024 Paris Olympics on Wednesday night.
Despite their reputation for physical play, Nigeria was not intimidated by the powerhouse American team, matching them point for point in the early minutes.
A’Ja Wilson, a two-time WNBA Most Valuable Player, led the U.S. with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Jackie Young contributed 15 points, and Breanna Stewart, another two-time WNBA MVP, added 13 points.
The U.S. team, aiming to surpass the U.S. men’s team’s record for the most consecutive Olympic golds (set from 1936-68), will face Australia in the semi-finals on Friday. Australia advanced by defeating Serbia 85-67.
France overcame Olympic newcomers Germany 84-71, setting up a semi-final against European champions Belgium, who triumphed 79-66 over previously unbeaten Spain. Marine Johannes scored 24 points to lead France, thrilling fans at Bercy Arena, although the U.S. team was the main attraction.
NBA superstar LeBron James and his USA teammate Bam Adebayo watched the game courtside, along with swimming legends Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky. James and Adebayo, preparing for their own semi-final against Serbia, enjoyed the night off.
Diana Taurasi, seeking to become the first Olympic basketball player to win six gold medals, came off the bench to hit a three-pointer, giving the U.S. a 24-12 lead late in the first quarter.
Promise Amukamara’s steal and layup brought Nigeria closer, but the U.S. responded with a strong 14-4 run to close the first half, leading 52-33 at the break. They extended their lead with a 10-0 run in the third quarter, eventually pushing it to 76-46 before Amukamara’s steal and layup ended the quarter.
Despite Nigeria’s resilience, led by Amukamara’s 19 points and Ezinne Kalu’s 16 points, the U.S. team’s firepower was too much. The trailblazing Nigerians received a warm ovation from the fans as they exited.
Next up for the U.S. is Australia, who had 22 points and 13 rebounds from Alanna Smith in their convincing win over Serbia. The Australians, silver medalists in 2000, 2004, and 2008, reached the semi-finals for the first time since 2012, when they won bronze.
Australia shot 58 percent in the first half and took control with a 22-11 second quarter against Serbia. “In tournaments like this, how you start is how you finish, and we wanted to come out throwing the first punch,” Smith said.
Belgium, reaching the semi-finals for the first time, faces a challenging match against Tokyo bronze medalists France. Led by Marine Johannes, with support from Gabby Williams and Alexia Cherry, France took control with a 17-5 run to start the second quarter, maintaining a lead of up to 19 points in the fourth.
Nyara Sabally returned from a head injury to score 20 points for Germany, but France’s defense held them to just four of 14 three-point attempts.
As the final seconds ticked down at Bercy Arena, fans celebrated, and security swiftly tackled a man who tried to dash onto the court.