Nigeria’s D’Tigress dropped their second straight loss on their US tour, falling 88-79 to the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx in a hard-fought battle at Kansas City’s T-Mobile Center.
Led by assistant coach Wani Muganguzi, filling in for head coach Rena Wakama, who’s on WNBA duty with the Chicago Sky, the Nigerian squad showed real grit. They bounced back from an 89-63 drubbing by the Los Angeles Sparks, keeping the Lynx on their toes through every quarter.
D’Tigress burst out of the gates, with Promise Amukamara, Ezinne Kalu, Suzie Rafiu, Uche Izoje, and Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah trading blows in a blistering first quarter. Minnesota scraped by 27-26.
The intensity didn’t let up. The Lynx nudged ahead in the second (19-17) for a slim 46-43 halftime lead, then pulled away in the third with a 21-16 run. They held firm in the fourth, outscoring Nigeria 21-20 to clinch the nine-point win before 6,510 fans.
According to a Punch Online report, Kalu led Nigeria’s scoring with 25 points in an assured offensive display, while Gabby White added 16 points and continued to impress in her evolving role within the team.
Kunaiyi-Akpanah contributed 11 points, and Izoje chipped in eight as D’Tigress displayed improved balance in attack.
The African champions recorded 36 rebounds compared to Minnesota’s 25 and also edged steals 8–5, but were undone by lower shooting efficiency, converting 40 per cent of their field goals against the Lynx’s 50 per cent, while also trailing in assists 23–11.
Both teams, the report says, matched each other with 32 points in the paint, but Minnesota capitalised on fast-break opportunities, scoring 13 points to Nigeria’s seven, and also benefited from superior ball movement which created higher-quality scoring chances.
The contest is said to have featured six lead changes and was tied on five occasions, although the Lynx’s biggest lead of 15 points ultimately proved decisive.
Courtney Williams led Minnesota with 17 points, while the hosts’ collective offensive effort saw them register 43 bench points compared to Nigeria’s 28.
Even in defeat, Nigeria’s experimental young squad flashed real promise during this rebuilding phase.
The 21-player roster leans heavily on US college talent - 15 athletes from 14 NCAA programs- as the Nigeria Basketball Federation builds depth for what’s ahead.
Rising stars like Gabby White, Stephanie Okechukwu, Shay Ijiwoye, Nora Ezike, Uche Izoje, and Danielle Osho are blending into the national team mix.
This US tour gears up D’Tigress for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin (September), where they’ll tackle Group B foes France, South Korea, and Hungary.
One game left in the three-match series: D’Tigress face the Indiana Fever Saturday midnight, testing tactics and combos against top WNBA talent.
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