Nigerian women are first African team to make Olympic quarterfinals in basketball

Julie Vanloo (35), of Belgium, celebrates after a basket against Japan in a women's basketball game at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France.

Julie Vanloo (35), of Belgium, celebrates after a basket against Japan in a women's basketball game at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)


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VILLENEUVE-D'ASCQ, France — Ezinne Kalu scored 21 points and Nigeria made Olympic history by becoming the first African team, male or female, to reach the Olympic quarterfinals in basketball when it beat Canada 79-70. The Nigerians came in having only one win — back in the 2004 Athens Games — and now they're staying around the Olympics longer than they ever have before. Canada came in ranked fifth in the world and was eliminated on the final day of group play. Belgium clinched a berth. Five countries already clinched berths: the U.S., Spain, Serbia, France and Germany. Australia beat France in the final game of group play to grab the final open berth.

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