Paris 2024: Tigress falls to world leaders in quarterfinal clash

Tigress lost their quarterfinal clash against the USA in the Olympics.

The United States women’s basketball team took a step closer to their eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal with a convincing 88-74 victory over Nigeria in the quarterfinals. Tigress won just a quarter compared to their opponent, the USA, who won heavily in three quarters.

The win sets up a semifinal showdown with Australia on Friday, with the winner advancing to the gold medal game.

The trio of players, Promise Amukamara, Ezinne Kalu, and Captain Amy Okonkwo, registered double-digit points for the Tigress during their solo night defeat to the world leaders.

Meanwhile, American Aja Wilson registered the highest basket, 20 in the game.

Nigeria, known as the history makers,  having become the first African team to reach the quarterfinals ultimately fell short against the experienced US team. Despite a strong start, Nigeria trailed by nine points at the end of the first quarter (17-26) and was down by 19 at halftime (33-52). The US team then dominated the third quarter, opening up a 28-point lead, and cruised to a comfortable win.

However, the Tigress fought back against the ruthless Americans, pulling 14 points from the earlier deficit. They bowed out with their shoulders high in the fourth quarter, winning 26–12.

The US team has won nine of the 12 gold medals since women’s basketball was introduced at the 1976 Olympics. They will face Australia, who defeated Serbia 85-67, in the semifinals.

In the other quarterfinal matches, France defeated Germany 84-71, led by Marine Johannes’ game-high 24 points, and Belgium beat Spain 79-66. France will face Belgium in the other semifinal matchup, with the winners advancing to the gold medal game and the losers competing for bronze.