D'Tigress push WNBA side to the brink in Kansas City
African champions D’Tigress delivered a bold and spirited performance but came up just short, losing 88–79 to the Minnesota Lynx in a fiercely contested pre-season friendly at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City on Tuesday.
Facing another stern WNBA test on their tour, Nigeria’s women showed grit and quality throughout, building on lessons from their earlier outing against the Los Angeles Sparks.
It was a lively start, with Promise Amukamara, Ezinne Kalu, Suzie Rafiu, Uche Izoje, and Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah thrown straight into a high-tempo battle. The Lynx edged the opening quarter 27–26, setting the tone for what would be a closely fought contest.
The second quarter unfolded in much the same fashion, with both sides trading baskets in an evenly matched exchange. Ezinne Kalu orchestrated Nigeria’s offence with confidence, but Minnesota capitalised on key moments to take a slender 46–43 lead into the break.
After half time, the Lynx found another gear. Punishing turnovers and thriving in transition, the hosts stretched their advantage and entered the final quarter with a 67–59 cushion. D’Tigress responded with a mix of inside presence and perimeter shooting, but Minnesota’s control in decisive moments kept them ahead.
Nigeria mounted a late push in the fourth quarter, showing the trademark resilience that has defined their recent dominance in Africa. However, the Lynx remained composed down the stretch, relying on smart shot selection and efficiency from the free-throw line to seal the win.
Kalu led the charge for D’Tigress with an impressive 25 points, alongside four rebounds, two assists, and a steal, combining sharp shooting from deep with aggressive drives to the basket. Gabby White contributed 16 points and seven rebounds, while Kunaiyi-Akpanah added 11 points, six rebounds, and defensive presence. Uche Izoje chipped in with eight points and seven boards.
For Minnesota, Courtney Williams led the way with 17 points, supported by Olivia Miles’ 11 points and five assists, while Nia Coffey added 10.
The difference ultimately lay in efficiency. The Lynx shot 50 per cent from the field compared to Nigeria’s 40 while also edging assists and fast-break points. D’Tigress, however, dominated the boards 49–33 and matched their opponents in points in the paint, further proof of their competitiveness at this level.
The encounter provides another valuable benchmark for the African champions as they continue their WNBA pre-season tour, with one final test against the Indiana Fever scheduled for Saturday, May 2.
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