Paris 2024: Nigeria Shocks Women's Basketball World

Nigerian women's team upsets Australia in Olympic opener...

Australia's women's basketball team, the Opals, suffer a surprise 75-62 loss to Nigeria in their Paris 2024 Olympics opener, facing a tough road to the quarter-finals.

In a stunning upset, the Australian women's basketball team, the Opals, suffered a 75-62 defeat at the hands of Nigeria in their opening game at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Monday, July 29, at Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille, France. Despite being ranked third globally, the Opals struggled to contain Nigeria's determined offense.

Alanna Smith led the Opals' scoring efforts with 15 points, while Sami Whitcomb and Jade Melbourne contributed 13 and 12 points, respectively. However, their combined efforts were not enough to overcome the impressive performance of Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu, who spearheaded her team's historic win with 19 points and five rebounds, propelling the 12th-ranked Nigerian team to a memorable triumph.

Under Coach Sandy Brondello, Australia burst out of the gates, racing to a 13-5 lead behind the strong play of Jade Melbourne and Ezi Magbegor. However, Nigeria, competing in their second straight Summer Olympics, refused to back down.

Ezinne Kalu sparked Nigeria's comeback, scoring 11 points, including three three-pointers, to give her team an 18-17 edge by the end of the first quarter. Kalu's momentum carried over into the second quarter, where she was joined by Amy Okonkwo and Elizabeth Balogun in causing havoc for the Opals. Nigeria capitalized on Australia's 16 first-half turnovers, committing only eight themselves, to build a stunning 41-28 halftime lead.

Australia's Opals, boasting five Olympic medals, faced a daunting task: mounting a second-half comeback. Despite Nigeria's stifling defense, Alanna Smith spearheaded a gradual Australian resurgence, chipping away at the deficit.

As the game hung in the balance, the Opals trimmed the gap to just four points by the final quarter, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion. The tension was palpable with six minutes remaining, as Australia narrowed the margin to two points. However, a series of costly mistakes hindered their momentum. Smith, who had been outstanding, missed two crucial free throws, while Nigeria's Promise Amukamara sank both of hers. Amukamara then set up Okonkwo for a three-pointer, extending Nigeria's lead to seven points and dashing Australian hopes.

A crucial turning point came when Smith, who had been playing well, missed two free throws, while Nigeria's Promise Amukamara capitalized on the opportunity by making both of hers. Amukamara then delivered a decisive blow, setting up Okonkwo for a three-pointer that stretched Nigeria's lead to seven points. This pivotal sequence gave Nigeria the breathing room they needed to dictate the game's pace and secure a convincing victory.

Looking ahead, the Opals face a challenging road to the quarter-finals. Their next Group B match is against world No. 5 Canada on Thursday, followed by a showdown with hosts France, the Tokyo 2020 bronze medalists, on Monday. To advance to the Paris 2024 Olympics basketball quarter-finals, Australia must finish in the top two of their group, making their upcoming games crucial in determining their fate.