D’TIGRESS of Nigeria pulled through a tough test to beat arch rivals Senegal to advance to the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket final for the fifth time in a row in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire tonight.
In a game with three crucial lead changes, the reigning champions, Nigeria, prevailed with a final score of 75-68.
With this victory, D’Tigress extended their Women’s AfroBasket winning streak to 28 games, dating back to October 2015 when they defeated Angola in the third-place game in Yaounde, Cameroon.
Senegal’s perennial leader, Cierra Dillard, did everything she could to help them beat Nigeria for the first time since 2011.
However, her efforts were hindered by Senegal’s excessive turnovers in the final moments of the game. She eventually fouled out with nine seconds on the shot clock.
Dillard’s 26 points, seven rebounds, and three assists earned her the title of Senegal’s best performer of the game.
However, only one other Senegalese player, Ndioma Kane, scored in double figures with her 14 points.
The 2019 Women’s AfroBasket Most Valuable Player (MVP), Ezinne Kalu, rescued D’Tigress from ending their unbeaten run when she stole the ball from Lena Timera and finished with a fast-break two-pointer.
Kalu contributed 19 points to the hard-earned D’Tigress victory, with Promise Amukamara producing 16 points and Amy Okonkwo 15.
A hook shot by Victory Macaulay gave Nigeria a 69-66 lead, which was technically insurmountable.
D’Tigress outscored Senegal 10–3 in the last three minutes to advance to the championship game. They will face the winner of the second semi-final between Mali and South Sudan.
With agency report