The first African team to reach the quarter-finals of the Olympic Games in basketball, Nigeria did not, however, inherit the easiest draw since the “Lady Tigers” must face Team USA…
Undefeated since 1992 at the Olympics, the American basketball players seem several notches above their opponents. While Jackie Young has taken Diana Taurasi's place in Cheryl Reeve's starting five, the gap between the two teams is not immediately felt, thanks in particular to the impact of Ezinne Kalu.
USA takes lead before halftime
As has been the case since the start of the competition, there is still a fair amount of waste in the American game, which Nigeria takes advantage of to stay in touch (26-17) at the end of the first quarter.
Ezinne Kalu even brought his country back to -4 (31-27) in the middle of the second quarter, but things can go quickly with the United States, and the last minutes before halftime proved it. A'ja Wilson chained baskets in front of LeBron James, Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky, all sitting in the front row, and the gap exploded in one go.
At the break, the gap had increased to +19 (52-33) and as Team USA restarted at full speed, Rena Wakama quickly called a timeout to prevent it from turning into a spanking.
Unfortunately for the suspense, despite a few 3-pointers from the “Lady Tigers”, the United States' lead swells. At the buzzer, Promise Amukamara reduces the opposing lead to “only” 28 points (76-48) at the start of the last quarter. LeBron James also leaves the enclosure to avoid the long “garbage time” to come.
Tense final seconds
Determined not to get a big beating, Nigeria played hard in the last quarter, when Team USA had long since taken its foot off the accelerator. The Americans even let the clock run down on their last possession, but Ezinne Kalu took advantage of the last seconds to score a layup!
Enough to annoy Kahleah Copper, who throws the ball at him and therefore receives a technical foul… which offers a last throw to Nigeria, which thus ends the match with only 14 points (88-74) the United States.
Eliminated, the “Lady Tigers” can still leave the Arena Bercy with a smile, while Cheryl Reeve's players take the time to pose for a few photos with Michael Phelps before heading to the locker room. In the semi-final, the Americans will meet Australia. It will be Friday.
