Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, on Monday failed to lift their game and consequently succumbed 102-83 to their Japanese counterparts in the basketball event of the ongoing Tokyo Olympics.
D’Tigress’ loss to Japan made it three losses from three Games they played in Group B of the women’s competition’s group stage, having lost earlier to the U.S and France.
Reports indicated that the Japanese team proved too hot for the D’Tigress as they won 30-22 in the first quarter, relying mostly on three-pointers.
They kept the momentum and held on to their strategy of making successful points at the three-points line and working hard on the offensive and defensive ball play.
The second quarter was played with a lot of intensity as D’Tigress worked to keep their heads in the game but unfortunately fell 21-16 to Japan.
Japan also took the third quarter, outscoring D’Tigress 33-19, relying more again on the three-points shots.
By the fourth quarter, when D’Tigress seemed to have overcome their lethargy, winning 26-18, the Japanese who were playing their best game so far in the competition were home and dry.
By then, they had successfully recorded 19 three-points shots to coast home to a great win.
Reports said the win meant Japan progressed to the quarterfinals, having won two out of their three group games.
The Nigerian team were making a return to the Olympics since the 2004 edition in Athens, Greece.
