The Dtigress Historic Olympic Quarter-Final qualification makes them the first African basketball team to go beyond the Group phase after earning two wins in three group games.
Nigeria shot down Canada 79-70 to become the first African team (women or men) to take a ticket for the last eight.
Dtigress Historic Olympic Quarter-Final Record
Meanwhile, this is the first time Nigeria will win two games at the Olympics.
Overall it is Nigeria’s only third win in the Women’s Olympic Basketball tournament, after a 68-64 win against South Korea in 2004; However, it is their second win in nine games in the preliminary round.
The Numbers
Nigeria went on a stunning 11-0 run to start the second half. It left Canada reeling and their opponents never recovered.
Ezinne Kalu registered 21 points, while Elizabeth Balogun chose a great time to have her best game in memory as she stepped up with 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists.
Nigeria was ruthless in punishing Canadian errors with an incredible 27 points from turnovers.
Ezinne Kalu scored 21 points today, only Mfon Udoka (3 games in 2004) previously managed to score 20+ points with Nigeria in an O.ympic match.
Promise Amukamara’s five steals against Canada is the second-most for an African player in a game at the Olympics. She is second behind Maktabene Amachree(Nigeria), 6 v Greece in 2004.
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