Paris 2024: D'Tigress make Nigeria proud, exit Olympics with loss to USA

After defeating Nigeria's D'Tigress, Team USA women's basketball is getting closer to winning their tenth gold medal at the Olympics for the 59th time in a row.

With 20 points from A'ja Wilson and 15 from Jackie Young, the United States easily overcame Nigeria, winning 88–74 in the end.

For much of the first half, though, the game was tighter than Team USA perhaps would have liked.

Through the first quarter, Nigeria's formidable defense kept the score close, but shortly before halftime, the United States broke away but Nigeria were right there.

The US, which was composed of WNBA players, increased their lead in the second half and, at one point, almost doubled Nigeria's score on the scoreboard. Nigeria, though, has always kept it near.

Nigeria exited the competition as basketball greats, but the USA carried on with their relentless pursuit of yet another triumphant title defense.

Being the first African team (male or female) to participate at this level, they created history in a multitude of ways when they left the court.

The USA simply used their skill and better depth to progressively move ahead more and more. It took a late spurt of points from Nigeria to bring the advantage down to a more reasonable level.

Nigeria has been amazing, captivating the hearts of basketball fans not only in Africa but also worldwide as underdogs and achieving historic and unheard-of triumph.

Athletes were out in force to watch the game between Nigeria and the USA.

LeBron James also strolled into the arena hand in hand with his wife Savannah James, and he sat with fellow NBA and Team USA men's basketball star Bam Adebayo.

The Team USA women's basketball team will next play Australia in their semifinal game on August 9, while D'Tigress will head home.