Sports

U. S. women's hoops pulverizes Nigeria, gets to Olympic semis

.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Elderly Person WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA article writer considering that 2010.Covered Cleveland Cavs for seven years.Writer of two booksPARIS-- The combination of A'ja Wilson as well as Breanna Stewart has actually confirmed to be a devasting combo for the Staff USA women, relevant where there is an instance establishing that they could possibly share the Olympics Most Valuable Gamer Award.But there is actually a brand new duo surfacing, though certainly not an astonishing one, that's shown to be a significant increase as the Americans work toward another gold medal.Las Las vega Aces allies Kelsey Plum and also Jackie Young have stepped up to be difference-makers in France and played crucial functions in Crew USA's 88-74 triumph over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It denoted the staff's 59th successive Olympic victory as well as sets up a semifinal matchup against Australia, winners over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Young do with double-digit factors for the second upright game, firing 60% coming from the industry in the USA' draw Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve relocated Young right into the beginning lineup instead of expert Diana Taurasi versus Nigeria, a crew understood for playing high pressure full-court self defense that challenges opposing guards.It was a reward after Youthful racked up 19 aspects along with four steals off the seat in the ultimate swimming pool play game versus Germany. She reacted along with another excellent performance, enjoying with power at each points together with one more Aces teammate, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young scored 15 points as well as assisted lug the USA outburst early in the game as the Americans left to a little a sluggish begin through their standards.Nigeria lagged through simply 4 aspects midway with the 2nd fourth. That is actually when Reeve mosted likely to Plum, who was the 12th and also ultimate gamer to enter into the game for the Americans. Plum quickly altered the game with her death and rate on the outrageous point, dispensing 3 easy aids and nailing a 3-pointer. Plum finished with simply six points yet her six-minute switch to end up the 1st fifty percent caused a plus-11 on the scoreboard to push the bring about 19 at one-half. The U.S. after that began the second half on a 15-0 run and the anxiety was done for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson and also Stewart, that entered the game balancing a matching 20.3 scores every video game, played their label of professional tormenter sphere. Wilson placed in 20 points on 9-of-11 firing with 11 rebounds as well as two blocks. Stewart had 13 aspects on 5-of-7 capturing along with 5 rebounds and also three assists.Brittney Griner came off the bench to score 11 ideas on 4-of-5 capturing. Those 3 internal scorers mixing for 16-of-21 is actually hard to beat.The USA entered the game balancing 29 helps as well as once more placed on a ball-sharing medical clinic through setting up 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which cut the top to as low as 13 in the 4th one-fourth, with 19 scores. The activity finished with a little edge when the U.S.'s Kahleah Copper received a specialized repulsive for throwing the reception at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she scored in the last secs.