Nigeria's D'Tigress Suffer Narrow Defeat to France in FIBA Women's World Cup Qualifiers Nigeria's senior women's basketball team, D'Tigress, put up a valiant fight but ultimately fell short in their fourth game at the FIBA Women's World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Lyon, France. The team lost by a narrow margin of 7 points, 93-86, to the hosts, France. D'Tigress trailed by as much as 20 points in the second quarter, but they did not let their heads drop. They mounted a spirited comeback in the second half, outscoring France 41-36. This impressive turnaround was a testament to the team's resilience and fighting spirit. However, the comeback ultimately fell short. This defeat marks Nigeria's second loss in four games at the qualifying tournament, following earlier losses to South Korea and victories over Colombia and the Philippines. Despite the loss, the team's performance in the second half will give fans and coaches hope for the future. France dominated the early stages of the game, taking the first quarter 29-21 and capitalising on Nigerian defensive lapses. However, D'Tigress responded strongly after the break. Coach Chima Munamuna's (not Rena Wakama, I made an assumption) side tightened their defence and found improved rhythm in attack to claim the third quarter 21-15, gradually cutting into the deficit. Several Nigerian players delivered outstanding performances in the closely contested encounter. Amy Okonkwo led the scoring effort with 16 points, while Murjanatu Musa and Elizabeth Balogun combined for 30 points. Victoria Macaulay also impressed with 10 points before leaving the game due to injury in the fourth quarter. Although the outcome was disappointing, D'Tigress's performance in the second half shows that they have the potential to compete with the best teams in the world. As they continue in the qualifying tournament, they will look to build on this momentum and secure a spot in the FIBA Women's World Cup.