Nigeria cruise past Cote d'Ivoire, take step toward AfroBasket Women 2015
ABIDJAN (AfroBasket Women 2015) - Nigeria are a step closer to securing their place at AfroBasket Women 2015 after beating Cote d'Ivoire 71-51 on Thursday night in the first leg of the two-game Zone III
ABIDJAN (AfroBasket Women 2015) - Nigeria are a step closer to securing their place at AfroBasket Women 2015 after beating Cote d'Ivoire 71-51 on Thursday night in the first leg of the two-game Zone III Qualifier.
The teams will square off in the second leg on Friday night and the hosts Ivorians will have their work cut out for them.
Elonu Adaora, who plays for Club Baloncesto Conquero in Spain's Liga Femenina de Baloncesto, had 15 points and five rebounds to lead Nigeria, with Chioma Udeaja adding 14 points and 9 boards.
Scott Nnaji's team - taking aim at securing a 10th participation in Africa's biggest women's basketball event - got off to a quick start and led 17-8 at the end of the first quarter.
Behind the play of Helen Ogunjimi, the Nigerians extended their advantage to take a 37-26 lead into halftime.
Things were much the same in the second half as Cote d'Ivoire could not capitalise on the home court advantage and were outscored 18-13 and 16-12 in the third and fourth quarters respectively.
Club Sportif d'Abidjan's Fofana Minata had 18 points and 10 rebounds in the losing effort.
AfroBasket Women 2015 will take place in Yaounde, Cameroon from 24 September-3 October.
FIBA