Paris 2024 Olympics: Nigeria women's basketball team shock Australia with massive win in group opener

Ezinne Kalu made her first four 3-pointers and scored 17 of her 19 points in the first half Monday as Nigeria earned its first win in women’s basketball at the Olympics since 2004, upsetting Australia 75-62 in their group play opener.

Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2016 Rio Games and went winless in Tokyo. 

Australia, led by coach Sandy Brondello from the WNBA’s New York Liberty, came in ranked third in the world, compared to 12th for Nigeria.

Fans inside Pierre Mauroy Stadium were on their feet cheering and applauding Nigeria in the final seconds before the players and coaches ran to midcourt to jump, hug and celebrate. Then they high-fived the Australians.

It may have helped erase a painful start to the Games for the Nigeria team, which was denied access to the country’s boat during the opening ceremony.

Promise Amukamara had 14 points for Nigeria. Amy Okonkwo scored 13, and Murjanatu Musa finished with 11.

Before departing the court, the Nigerians went over toward their bench to wave at their fans.

The first round of group play concluded Monday with losses for four of the world’s top six women’s teams. No. 2-ranked China lost to Spain in overtime in the pool play opener. Sixth-ranked Belgium and No. 5 Canada also lost.

The U.S., chasing an unprecedented eighth straight Olympic gold, concluded the first round of games by avoiding the upset bug. The Americans routed 2021 silver medalist Japan 102-76.

The Opals lost forward Bec Allen after she injured a hamstring during their final pre-Olympic warmup game. Amy Atwell took Allen’s roster spot, and Australia started well enough by scoring the first six points.

Nigeria got going, taking a 24-22 lead. Kalu, who was born in Newark, New Jersey, and played at Savannah State, was perfect from deep before she missed her fifth 3-point attempt with 1:24 left in the second quarter. The Nigerians scored the final 11 points for a 41-28 halftime lead.

Nigeria made it 45-30 on a layup by Musa with 6:53 left. Australia scored 10 straight points as the Opals outscored Nigeria 19-10 to close to 51-47 going into the fourth.

Alanna Smith’s 3-pointer got the Opals within two at 58-56 with 6:04 left. That was as close as they would get. When Okonkwo finished a fast break with a layup with 50.1 seconds remaining, the Nigerians came together with their arms in the air during an Aussie timeout knowing they were on the verge of a big victory.

Smith led the Opals with 15 points. Sami Whitcomb added 13, and Jade Melbourne had 11. Australia was just 8 of 18 at the free-throw line and turned it over 26 times, leading to 26 points for Nigeria.