Indiana Fever Overpower D’Tigress 105-57 to Conclude WNBA Pre-Season Tour

Posted : 04 May 2026

The Nigerian women’s national basketball team, D’Tigress, concluded their landmark United States tour with a 105-57 loss to the Indiana Fever. The game took place on Sunday at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in front of over 10,000 fans. This fixture marked the final pre-season outing for both teams before their respective competitive campaigns begin.

Indiana established dominance early in the contest by utilizing their superior pace and offensive movement. The Fever surged to a 32-18 lead in the first quarter and effectively sealed the win before halftime. A clinical 38-11 run in the second quarter saw the hosts take a massive 70-29 advantage into the locker room. Nigeria struggled to find their rhythm as the WNBA side showcased elite shooting and ball movement.

Individual performances highlighted the gulf in professional experience between the two sides. Kelsey Mitchell led the Fever with 17 points, while Damiris Dantas added 16 points including four three-pointers. Highly-rated rookie Caitlin Clark contributed 12 points and four assists in just 13 minutes of play. Indiana finished the game shooting an impressive 53.7% from the field and 45.2% from beyond the arc.

D’Tigress showed resilience in the second half but were hampered by poor shooting efficiency. The African champions failed to convert any of their 12 attempts from the three-point line and finished with a 30% overall field goal percentage. Shay Ijiwoye was the standout performer for Nigeria with 10 points off the bench. Ezinne Kalu, Blessing Ejiofor, and Vera Ojenuwa each contributed eight points in the effort.

Turnovers proved to be the most significant statistical difference in the matchup. Nigeria committed 24 turnovers which led to 32 points for the Indiana Fever. While the visitors recorded 14 steals, they were unable to translate these defensive stops into consistent scoring runs. The Fever also dominated transition play with 24 fast-break points compared to Nigeria’s 10.

This defeat follows earlier losses to the Los Angeles Sparks and the Minnesota Lynx during the US tour. Despite the results, the tour provided D’Tigress with vital exposure against world-class opposition. Coach Rena Wakama and her staff will now focus on the lessons learned as they prepare for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 in Berlin.

Indiana Fever Overpower D’Tigress 105-57 to Conclude WNBA Pre-Season Tour

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