NIGERIA’S D’Tigress have equalled a longstanding record by defeating Senegal 84-74 tonight in Kigali, Rwanda to win the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship title.
It is the Nigerian ladies’ fourth title in a row, equalling the incredible feat first achieved by Senegal between 1974 and 1981.
D’Tigress stars exploded in celebration as the final buzzer went off at the BK Arena to indicate their 24th straight victory in the competition they have become masters of.
Nigeria were quick off the blocks this evening, taking a nine-point lead at the end of the first quarter and extending it by three more points with a 43-31 half-time lead.
Senegal, who are the competition’s historically most successful team with 12 titles, pulled themselves up in the third quarter and hauled themselves back into the contest, shaving off seven points from the lead.
However, with the record-equalling title within touching distance, D’Tigress stepped on the gas in the final quarter and retained their title with a 10-point win.
With Amy Okonkwo given extra attention, Ifunaya Okoro stepped up to lead D’Tigress in scoring with 16 points, while Senegal’s Cierra Janay Dillard made a game-high 19 points.
Murjanatu Musa led the game with 12 rebounds for D’Tigress, with Okoro contributing four assists.
D’Tigress outshot Senegal from inside and outside, and made 81 percent of their free throws to Senegal’s 68 percent.
Remarkably, D’Tigress head coach Rena Wakama made personal history of her own by becoming the first female head coach to win the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title, despite this being her first major assignment with the team.
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