Nigeria’s Junior D’Tigress powered to a 68-58 victory over Argentina in a classification round encounter at the ongoing FIBA U-19 Women’s Basketball World Cup in Brno, Czechia, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Following their round of 16 defeat to Hungary on Wednesday, the Juliana Akhere-led side went into the classification rounds for the right to finish in positions 9 to 16 at the competition. The junior D’Tigress won the first three quarters against the Argies by a score of 19-17, 10-9, and 18-11, respectively, while both sides played out a 21-21 scoreline in the fourth quarter.

The West Africans registered 71 field goal attempts throughout the contest, whilst recording 22 field goals made. They also made a total of 50 rebounds, 15 assists, 14 steals and six blocks. In comparison, Argentina put up 37 rebounds, 19 assists, 10 steals, and seven blocks. The South Americans also managed to record 72 field goal attempts, while making 21 field goals.

Top performers for Nigeria were Nora Ezike and team captain Wandoo Hembam, who both put up game-high scores of 17 points each. Haminatu Ayodeji also chipped in with 11 points and eight rebounds, while Idubamo Beggi and Abigail Isaac both registered identical hauls of eight points and eight rebounds each. Meanwhile, Toby Nweke, who had recorded double-figure point hauls in Nigeria’s last two outings, could only muster five points and five rebounds.

As for Argentina, their top performer on the day was Julia Bosque, who put up 14 points and eight rebounds, while Malena Maggi and Virginia Peralta dropped nine and eight points respectively.

Nigeria will next take on the Korea Republic in another classification fixture, as the race to finish in the top 12 intensifies. The Koreans edged South American opposition Brazil 87-80 in their own classification game. As it stands, the best position the team can finish is ninth, but they will not finish bottom out of the 15 countries that participated in the competition.