Nigeria, March 16 -- Nigeria's senior women's basketball team, D'Tigress, suffered a narrow 93-86 defeat to France in their fourth game at the FIBA Women's World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Lyon.

Despite trailing by as many as 20 points in the second quarter, the African champions mounted a spirited comeback in the second half, outscoring the hosts 41-36, but the rally ultimately fell short.

The result means Nigeria have now recorded two defeats in four games at the qualifying tournament, following an earlier loss to South Korea and victories over Colombia and the Philippines.

France began the contest with strong offensive intensity, taking the first quarter 29-21 and capitalising on Nigerian defensive lapses.

The hosts maintained th...