Opals beat Nigeria

In a shocking upset at the Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament, Nigeria defeated Australia's Opals 75-62, severely jeopardizing Australia's medal hopes. The No.3-ranked Australians struggled significantly, turning the ball over 26 times and hitting only eight of 18 free throws, with captain Lauren Jackson noting the performance as a 'disaster.' Despite an early lead, Australia's offense faltered under Nigeria's high-pressure defense, allowing Nigeria to establish a commanding lead with an 11-0 run before halftime. Ezinne Kalu led Nigeria with 19 points, effectively capitalizing on the Opals' mistakes throughout the match. The Opals now face crucial upcoming games against Canada and France, needing to secure victories to advance in the tournament. Nigeria's impressive showing underscores their potential as dark horses in Group B, challenging initial predictions.