Nigeria Suffer Another Defeat As Lynx Edge Past D’Tigress In Kansas City

According to Ireporter Online, Nigeria’s women’s national basketball team, D’Tigress, have recorded their second consecutive defeat on their United States tour after falling 88–79 to the Minnesota Lynx in a closely contested encounter held on Tuesday at the T-Mobile Centre in Kansas City.

The Nigerian side showed marked improvement compared to their opening game, where they lost 89–63 to the Los Angeles Sparks, delivering a far more competitive performance against the WNBA outfit. The team played under assistant coach Wani Muganguzi, with head coach Rena Wakama currently engaged with the Chicago Sky.

D’Tigress matched their opponents across all four quarters, displaying better organisation on both ends of the court. The opening period ended narrowly 27–26 in favour of the Lynx, while Minnesota also edged the second quarter 19–17 to take a slim 46–43 lead into halftime. The third quarter saw the American side pull further ahead, outscoring Nigeria 21–16, before closing out the game with a 21–20 advantage in the final quarter.

Despite the defeat, Nigeria produced several positives. Ezinne Kalu led the scoring with 25 points, while Gabby White contributed 16 points, Kunaiyi-Akpanah added 11, and Uche Izoje finished with eight points. The team also dominated key statistical areas, recording 36 rebounds compared to Minnesota’s 25, and winning the steals battle 8–5.

However, shooting efficiency proved decisive, as D’Tigress shot 40 percent from the field against Minnesota’s 50 percent. The Lynx also controlled playmaking with 23 assists to Nigeria’s 11 and outperformed the visitors in fast-break points.

Courtney Williams led Minnesota with 17 points, while their bench made a significant impact with 43 points, compared to Nigeria’s 28. The game featured six lead changes and five ties, reflecting a tightly contested battle, although Minnesota’s largest lead of 15 points ultimately proved decisive.

The US tour is part of Nigeria’s build-up to the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin, where D’Tigress are grouped alongside France, South Korea, and Hungary. The current 21-player roster, largely composed of NCAA-based athletes, continues to be assessed as part of a rebuilding phase focused on blending emerging talents with experienced players.

D’Tigress will conclude the tour with a final fixture against the Indiana Fever, as the technical crew continues to evaluate tactical combinations and team chemistry against elite WNBA opposition, including the Indiana Fever.