D’Tigress overpower Colombia in FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifier opener

Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, the D’Tigress, began their campaign at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 qualifiers with an emphatic 70–37 victory over Colombia’s women’s national basketball team in France on Wednesday.

The Nigerian side took control early and dominated proceedings at the Astroballe Arena, leading for more than 33 minutes while restricting Colombia to just 37 points.

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The turning point came late in the second quarter when Nigeria overturned a three-point deficit to level the score at 27–27 through baskets from Victoria Macaulay and Ifunanya Okoro.

Nicole Enabosi then converted a layup to give Nigeria a 28–27 lead before Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah produced a crucial defensive block that sparked the team’s momentum.

D’Tigress subsequently went on a decisive 16–0 scoring run spanning the second and third quarters, stretching a narrow 30–29 advantage into a commanding 46–29 lead.

Okoro led Nigeria with 10 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals, finishing with a +29 efficiency rating in 28 minutes.

Enabosi recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds while also contributing five assists in less than 24 minutes of action.

Macaulay also made a strong impact from the bench, scoring 13 points on five-of-six shooting and grabbing six rebounds in just over 14 minutes.

For Colombia, Mabel Martinez scored six points to keep her side competitive in the first half before Nigeria gradually pulled away after the break.

Nigeria’s biggest scoring run was the decisive 16–0 stretch that bridged halftime, while Colombia’s best response was a brief 7–0 run early in the second quarter.

D’Tigress recorded their largest lead of the game at 68–34 with 2:25 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Colombia’s biggest lead was just three points, achieved twice in the first half before Nigeria assumed full control.

Nigeria led the game for 33 minutes and 26 seconds, while Colombia were ahead for only four minutes and 21 seconds, with both sides tied for just over two minutes.

The commanding victory underlined Nigeria’s defensive strength and squad depth as they opened their qualifying campaign on a bright note.