South Korea ended Nigeria’s eight-game competitive winning streak on Thursday, defeating the African champions 77-60 in their second game of the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Villeurbanne, France.
The defeat was D’Tigress’ first competitive loss since losing to the United States at the Paris 2024 Olympics, and it halted the momentum built during an unbroken streak that culminated in their victory at the 2025 Women’s AfroBasket.
It was also a hard test for coach Rena Wakama’s team, which had only 24 hours earlier defeated Colombia 70-37.
South Korea rebounded from a 76-49 loss to Germany in their first qualifying game by putting on an energetic and tactically disciplined performance at the AstroBall arena.
Nigeria briefly took the lead with early baskets from Murjanatu Musa and Victoria Macaulay, but Korea gradually gained control in the first quarter.
Nigeria steadied in the second quarter and momentarily threatened to recover. Macaulay made two three-pointers, and Nicole Enabosi’s presence on the boards kept the Africans in contention.
The quarter ended tied at 16-16, giving Korea a slender 36-32 lead at halftime.
However, the game’s defining stretch occurred in the third quarter, when Korea scored a crucial run that moved the momentum decisively in their favor.
The Asians, led by Jihyun Park and Leeseul Kang, capitalized on a sequence of Nigerian errors to rapidly build a double-digit lead.
Park, who finished with a game-high 22 points, was especially effective during this stanza, sinking a three-pointer and frequently attacking the basket to widen the lead.
Korea outscored Nigeria 22-19 in the third quarter, taking a 58-51 lead into the fourth quarter.
Nigeria failed to maintain an offensive rhythm in the last period as Korea increased defensive pressure and capitalized on transition opportunities.
A decisive 15-0 scoring run midway through the game had already established a lead, and by the fourth quarter, the Koreans were well in control.
Korea dominated the last stanza, outscoring Nigeria 19-9, as the African champions’ challenge faded.
Turnovers were costly for Wakama’s team, as Korea converted them into a consistent stream of scores.
The Asians scored 33 points off turnovers compared to Nigeria’s 14, demonstrating the effectiveness of their transition game.
Nigeria will face the Philippines in their third game on Saturday, while Korea will face Colombia later that evening to improve their chances in the qualifying standings.
D’Tigress has already secured a place at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup by winning the Women’s AfroBasket 2025 title, but the qualifiers provide an invaluable opportunity for the team.
