A game high 25 points by Ezinne Kalu, ahead of all other players on the court, was not enough to save Nigeria’s female national team, D’Tigress from falling 79-88 against USA’s Minnesota Lynx in the squad’s second game of their ongoing tour.
READ ALSO: Terem Moffi Served With ‘Quit Notice’ At OGC Nice Of France
Sports247 reports that the seven-time African champions, who are on a build-up tour ahead of the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Germany and have a third game on Saturday, struggled for form against The Lynx.
However, it was an improved performance from their loss to Los Angeles Spark at the start of their tour of God’s Own Country, as D’Tigress romped defiantly right from the tip-off in search of redemption at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City.
Nigeria’s starting five of Kalu, Promise Amukamara, Suzie Rafiu, Uche Izoje and Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah played at full throttle, but their efforts could not stop The Lynx from snatching the first quarter 27-26 then held a 46-43 lead into half-time.
At the restart, The Lynx took advantage of turnovers and transition opportunities to extend their lead and enter the final quarter ahead at 67-59, despite a very gallant display by D’Tigress, with inside attacks, perimeter shooting and late scoring runs.
Kalu led Nigeria with 25 points, four rebounds, two assists and one steal, shooting efficiently from beyond the arc while attacking the rim; followed by Gabby White with16 points, seven rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block.
D’Tigress’ ace in their opening game against LA Sparks, Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah was again in good form, as she contributed 11 points, six rebounds, two steals and one block, while Uche Izoje finished with eight points and seven rebounds.
Despite the defeat, Nigerians would take comfort in learning that D’Tigress were better with 49-33 in rebounding and matched The Lynx in the paint, thereby giving hope of another improved performance in their next game against Indiana Fever.
D’Tigress will once again rely on a mercurial performance from Kalu, who helped Nigeria win three straight Afrobasket championship titles (2017, 2019, 2021) and was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the second of those conquests.
Kalu, who currently plays for Zhejiang Golden Bulls of China, was born in the United States of America, but switched allegiance just in time to feature for the Nigerian team at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games qualifying tournament.
