Nigeria’s D’Tigress delivered a commanding performance to defeat Colombia 70–37 in a Group Phase game at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament in France on Wednesday. The match took place at Astroballe in Villeurbanne.
Nigeria seized control early and maintained their lead for over 33 minutes, showcasing a strong defensive effort that limited Colombia to just 37 points.
The game turned late in the second quarter when Nigeria erased a three-point deficit to tie the score at 27–27, with key baskets from forward Victoria Macaulay and guard Ifunanya Okoro. Although Colombia briefly regained the lead, Nigeria responded with a layup from Nicole Enabosi to go ahead 28–27. A subsequent basket and a critical defensive block by centre Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah sparked a decisive 16–0 run spanning halftime, turning a narrow margin into a comfortable double-digit lead.
Individual Performances:
- Ifunanya Okoro led Nigeria with 10 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals in 28:01 minutes, posting a +29 plus/minus during Nigeria’s most dominant stretches.
- Nicole Enabosi recorded a double-double with 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists in under 24 minutes.
- Victoria Macaulay contributed 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting and grabbed 6 rebounds in just over 14 minutes off the bench.
For Colombia, Mabel Martinez led the team with 6 points in 24:28 minutes, keeping the game competitive during the first half.
Nigeria’s biggest run came between the second and third quarters—a 16–0 streak that extended their lead from 30–29 to 46–29 in just under six minutes, with Macaulay scoring 7 points. Colombia’s best stretch was a 7–0 run early in the second quarter, narrowing the deficit from 22–14 to 22–21.
Nigeria’s largest lead was 34 points at 68–34 with 2:25 remaining in the fourth quarter, while Colombia’s biggest lead was 3 points, achieved twice early in the game.
The victory further cements Nigeria’s status as a powerhouse in the qualifying tournament and demonstrates their depth, discipline, and defensive strength.
