Emex Henshaw
Nigeria’s Olympic basketball campaign came to an end with an 88-74 loss to the USA in the quarterfinals. Despite a valiant effort, D’Tigress couldn’t overcome the mighty Americans.
Here are five key reasons that contributed to Nigeria’s defeat:
Lack of Depth
The USA’s bench strength and depth were significant advantages, as all their players scored at least one point, with four players scoring in double digits.
In contrast, Nigeria relied heavily on a few players, which took a toll on their energy levels.
Inability to Contain A’ja Wilson
A’ja Wilson’s dominant performance, with 20 points and 11 rebounds, was a key factor in Nigeria’s loss.
Her presence in the paint and ability to score from anywhere on the court made her a nightmare to defend.
Poor Three-Point Shooting
Nigeria’s struggles from beyond the arc, shooting just 6-of-25, made it difficult for them to keep up with the USA’s scoring.
The Nigerians relied too heavily on their two-point shots, which weren’t enough to overcome the USA’s balanced offence.
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Turnovers
Nigeria’s 13 turnovers, which the USA capitalized on, were a crucial aspect of the game.
The Nigerians struggled to take care of the ball, leading to easy baskets for the Americans.
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USA’s Strong Defense
The USA’s defensive intensity, particularly in the second half, made it challenging for Nigeria to score.
The Americans’ ability to shut down Nigeria’s offence and create turnovers was a decisive factor in their victory.
While Nigeria’s loss to the USA was disappointing, it was a valuable learning experience for the team.
They showed courage by defeating world number 3 Australia and world number 5 Canada, despite being the lowest-ranked team in the tournament.
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