D’Tigress opened their 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup campaign in Berlin with a 99-81 loss to South Korea in Group B, and the African champions now turn their attention to Hungary later today as they look to put the result behind them.
Nigeria began with real purpose, racing into a 6-0 lead, only for South Korea to settle and close the first quarter 26-22. D’Tigress answered in the second period, taking it 23-22 and cutting the gap to three, 48-45, at the break.
Amy Okonkwo sparked another surge after half-time, putting up 10 points in the third as Nigeria trimmed the deficit to a single point at 59-58. South Korea held their nerve and went into the fourth 68-62 ahead. From there they pulled clear, outscoring D’Tigress 31-19 to finish 18 points in front.
Jihyun Park led all scorers with 27. Nigeria’s 20 turnovers hurt them badly. Okonkwo finished with 22 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Ezinne Kalu added 11 points and five assists, Victoria Macaulay had 10, and Murjanatu Musa posted a double-double of 15 points and 13 rebounds, nine of them on the offensive glass.
Musa became only the fourth Nigerian to record a double-double at the Women’s World Cup, after Mfon Udoka, Evelyn Akhator and Itoro Umoh. Her 13 rebounds also matched Akhator’s Nigerian mark for a World Cup game.
In other action, Japan beat Mali 102-97 in Group A, with Saki Hayashi draining a record nine three-pointers as Japan set a Women’s World Cup record with 20 makes from beyond the arc. Australia defeated Puerto Rico 70-54 in Group C, and the United States opened their title defence with a 94-61 win over China in Group D.
D’Tigress are back on court today against Hungary in their second Group B fixture.
