Nigeria’s women basketball team on Monday whipped hosts Congo 102-23 to top their group and advance to Wednesday’s quarter-finals at the 11th All-Africa Games (AAG) in Congo.
The D’Tigress beat the hosts with style at the Makelekele Gymnasim, leading from the first quarter 31-14, and reducing them to committing more fouls than scoring.
The Nigerian side won the second quarter 19-6, the third 29-3 and the fourth 23-0 to completely dominate their opponents who committed six fouls in the first quarter.
The Congolese then had to slow down their pace as Patricia Akashili, Joyce Ekworomadu, Chinemelo Elonu, Ndidi Madu, Sarah Ogoke, Helen Ogunjimi and Priscilla Udeaja and Upe Atosu swarmed all.
The hosts could not break down the Nigerians and went on to commit five fouls in the second quarter, four in the third and five in the fourth.
But this did not deter Akashili from totaling 15 points, Ekworomadu 18, Elonu 18, Ogoke 16, Atosu eight, Udeaja seven, Madu six, Ogunjimi six and Olayinka Sanni eight.
They will now meet Gabon in the quarter-finals on Wednesday, after the Gabonese had earlier beaten Algeria 69-57.
Speaking on his team’s win, coach Adewunmi Aderemi said the Nigeria/Congo match was as interesting as it was not easy.
“The game was interesting, and we are happy we won to advance to the finals stage. But it was not easy winning. We really prepared for it and we thank God it went well for us,” he said.
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