On Wednesday night at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Nigeria’s D’Tigress lost 74-88 against the United States’ women’s basketball team in the quarterfinals.... CLICK TO READ THE FULL NEWS HERE▶▶
Nigeria, who has made physical play a signature, appeared unfazed by the strong Americans as they swapped buckets in the first few minutes.
A’Ja Wilson, a two-time WNBA Most Valuable Player, scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead a US team that might break a tie with the US men’s basketball team for the most consecutive Olympic gold medals, set from 1936 to 1968.
Jackie Young added 15 points, while Breanna Stewart, another two-time WNBA MVP, contributed 13.
The US will meet Australia in the semi-finals on Friday, after the Opals defeated Serbia 85-67.
France defeated Olympic newcomers Germany 84-71, advancing to the semi-finals against European champions Belgium, who defeated previously unbeaten Spain 79-66.
USA’s coach Cheryl Reeve (C) speaks to Nigeria’s #23 Ezinne Kalu in the last seconds of the women’s quarterfinal basketball match between Nigeria and USA during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Bercy Arena in Paris on August 7, 2024.
France, led by Marine Johannes with 24 points, delighted fans, but the United States were the main attraction at Bercy Arena.
NBA superstar LeBron James and USA colleague Bam Adebayo were courtside for the duel between the US dynasty and the first African team, male or female, to reach the Olympic basketball quarterfinals.
James and Adebayo, who were taking a night off before facing Serbia in the men’s semi-finals on Thursday, sat next to American swimming legends Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky.
Diana Taurasi, attempting to become the first Olympic basketball player to win six gold medals, came off the bench and hit a three-pointer to put the United States ahead 24-12 late in the first quarter.
A steal and a layup by Promise Amukamara reduced the gap to single digits, but every time Nigeria appeared to be making progress, the Americans responded with a run.
They finished the first half with a 14-4 outburst. Breanna Stewart hit a three-pointer and then a layup in the last minute to extend the US advantage to 52-33 at halftime.
The United States started the third quarter on a 10-0 run, increasing its advantage to 76-46 before Amukamara stole the ball and ran the length of the court for a layup to close the period.
Nigeria’s #33 Nicole Enabosi (L) and Nigeria’s #25 Adebola Adeyeye react at the end of the women’s quarterfinal basketball match between Nigeria and USA during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Bercy Arena in Paris on August 7, 2024. (Photo by Aris MESSINIS / AFP)
In the end, the United States simply had too much firepower, but the trailblazing Nigerians, led by 19 points from Amukamara and 16 from Ezinne Kalu, left to a rousing ovation from the crowd.
The United States will next face Australia, which defeated Serbia with Alanna Smith scoring 22 points and 13 rebounds.
The Australians, who won silver medals in 2000, 2004, and 2008, have advanced to the semi-finals for the first time since 2012, when they finished third.
‘Throwing the first punch’
Australia connected on 58 percent of their shots in the first half, out-scoring Serbia 22-11 in the second quarter to take control for good.
“In tournaments like this, how you start is how you finish, and we wanted to come out throwing the first punch,” Smith said.
Belgium, which has advanced to the semi-finals for the first time, will meet France, the bronze medalists from Tokyo.
The hosts made a great return to the semi-finals, with Johannes leading the charge and Gabby Williams and Alexia Cherry providing valuable support.
France grabbed command with a 17-5 scoring spree to begin the second quarter, and led by as many as 19 in the fourth.
Nyara Sabally, who had been sidelined since suffering a head injury in Germany’s opening game, returned and scored 20 points.
However, in the face of France’s tenacious defense, a German squad that led the group in three-point shooting made only four of 14 shots from beyond the arc.
Fans at Bercy Arena were already cheering as the last seconds ticked away when a man attempted to rush onto the court. He was swiftly apprehended by security and taken away.
