Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, began their exhibition series in China with a narrow 70-67 defeat to the hosts in Haikou today.
The five-time consecutive African champions pushed world No. 4 China to the final minute before falling just three points short at the Wuyuanhe Sports Centre.
Towering center Zhang Ziyu proved the difference for China, finishing with a game-high 24 points and 11 rebounds. She shot an efficient 11-for-15 from the field, scoring eight straight points for China in the opening quarter.
China led 39-38 at halftime after a tightly contested first half. The hosts extended their lead to as many as eight points in the third quarter before Nigeria responded with a 5-0 run to cut the deficit to a single possession heading into the final frame.
The game reached a dramatic conclusion. Nigeria leveled the score at 67-67 going into the final minute. Zhang’s basket moved China ahead 70-67 with 15.1 seconds remaining. Nigeria had a chance to force overtime but missed a potential game-tying three-pointer as time expired.
ALSO READ:
- FIBA Women’s AfroBasket: D’Tigress into semi-finals following hard-fought win over Mozambique
- ‘D’Tigress, Super Falcons proved Nigerian youths are talented’- Peter Obi
- NBBF appoints Rena Wakama as new D’Tigress head coach
Murjanatu Musa led Nigeria with 15 points, while Promise Amukamara added 10. Nigeria out-rebounded China 26-22 in the first half, including 16 offensive rebounds, demonstrating their physicality and toughness.
The exhibition series forms part of Nigeria’s preparations for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin, scheduled for September 4 to 13.
D’Tigress will have another opportunity to test themselves against China when both teams meet again in their second exhibition game on Sunday, August 9, at the same venue. The series will conclude on Wednesday, August 12, in Foshan.
The team arrived in Haikou directly from their opening training camp in Chicago, Illinois, as part of the Nigeria Basketball Federation’s five-stop international preparation programme tagged Road to Berlin.
