2017 Afrobasket defending champions D’tigress matched up Cameroon in the second (2nd) game of group B at 4:30PM yesterday in Dakar, Senegal.
A quarter final decider for both teams, who had previously thrashed Tunisia in their first group games respectively were out for blood.
With game tip off a strong offence from Coach Otis Nigerian side, played hard against the Cameroonians and left no room for baskets, great ball rotation and a strong transition defense the team was raining baskets on the Cameroonians. First quarter ended strong for D’Tigress, Cameroon (07) – (21) Nigeria.
Second quarter had Coach Cumming-Price of Cameroon try to get her players into the game using her big men to garner fouls and shoot from the free throw line. The Nigerian bench was quick to neutralize the attack by the infusion of Aisha Mohammed Balarabe a decorated and more experienced post player. The second quarter ended Cameroon (23) – (49) Nigeria.
After the half time bench mark, D’Tigress came on the floor with total dominance on offence and an air tight defense which left the Cameroonians disoriented and in disarray. The third and fourth quarter ended (33) – (72), (39) – (106) respectively in favor of Nigeria.
The 67 points difference proved the reigning champions are ready for full battle in the quest to retain the title.
The conquest saw a top performance from D’Tigress No 10, Promise Amukamara who controlled the floor and aced 14 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals while Cameroonian’s No 1, Amina Njoukou 16 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assists and 2 steals was not enough to get her team level.
A collective team work by Nigeria saw Aisha Mohammed Balarabe, Promise Amukamara, Adora Elonu and Ify Ibekwe ice 14 points individually to seal a big win for the team.
D’Tigress qualifies for the quarter final and faces the winner from the quarter final qualification match up today.
Photos courtesy of FIBA
