By Prosper Mene
Canada’s U-19 women’s basketball team delivered a historic performance at the 2025 FIBA U-19 Women’s World Cup, dismantling Nigeria’s Junior D’Tigress 113-42 in a commanding Group B victory on Sunday, July 13. The game, held in Brno, saw Canada shatter the tournament’s record for most three-pointers in a single game, sinking an astonishing 20 shots from beyond the arc.
Canada’s offensive onslaught was led by sharpshooter Agot Makeer, who went 5-for-7 from three-point range, finishing with 18 points. The team’s depth was on full display, with eight different players contributing to the three-point barrage. Mila Holloway orchestrated the offense with nine assists, showcasing Canada’s ball movement and tactical discipline. Jasmine Bascoe also chipped in with 10 points, going 4-for-9 from the field in 19 minutes of play.The Canadians set the tone early, racing to a 23-5 lead in the first quarter and extending their advantage to 62-16 by halftime.
Nigeria struggled against Canada’s defense and relentless shooting, with the third quarter being the closest at 23-16. Canada sealed the rout in the fourth, outscoring Nigeria 28-10 to secure their second straight group stage win after an 88-49 victory over Portugal.
For Nigeria, the loss was a stark contrast to their thrilling 93-88 upset over China in the tournament opener, where Power Forward Nora Ezike led with 25 points. Against Canada, Wandoo Hembam paced the Junior D’Tigress with 13 points, four rebounds, and three assists, while Jessica Ajayi and Idubamo Beggi added 7 and 6 points, respectively.
The defeat drops Nigeria to a 1-1 record in Group B, putting pressure on their final group match against Portugal on Tuesday, July 15.Canada’s dominant performance underscores their status as a tournament favorite, blending offensive firepower with defensive tenacity. For Nigeria, the focus shifts to regrouping and leveraging their resilience to secure a spot in the knockout rounds.
