Sports

U. S. ladies's hoops pulverizes Nigeria, hits Olympic semis

.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Elderly Person WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA writer since 2010.Covered Cleveland Cavs for 7 years.Writer of pair of booksPARIS-- The combo of A'ja Wilson and also Breanna Stewart has verified to become a devasting combination for the Group United States ladies, to the point where there is actually a scenario creating that they might discuss the Olympics Many Belongings Player Award.But there's a brand new duo arising, though certainly not an astonishing one, that's shown to become a big increase as the Americans pursue another gold medal.Las Las vega Aces allies Kelsey Plum and also Jackie Young have actually boosted to become difference-makers in France and participated in essential jobs in Crew United States's 88-74 triumph over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It denoted the crew's 59th consecutive Olympic triumph and establishes a semifinal matchup against Australia, winners over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Young finished with double-digit factors for the 2nd straight game, shooting 60% coming from the area in the USA' win over Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve relocated Youthful right into the starting lineup instead of professional Diana Taurasi against Nigeria, a group understood for participating in high stress full-court self defense that tests opposing guards.It was a reward after Young racked up 19 factors with four takes off the seat in the last swimming pool play game versus Germany. She responded with another superb performance, having fun with electricity at both points alongside another Aces ally, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young racked up 15 aspects as well as helped lug the USA offense early in the video game as the Americans got off to a little a sluggish beginning through their standards.Nigeria was behind by just 4 aspects midway via the 2nd quarter. That's when Reeve headed to Plum, that was actually the 12th and final gamer to enter into the ready the Americans. Plum immediately modified the activity along with her passing and rate on the offensive end, giving out 3 quick assists and nailing a 3-pointer. Plum completed with only 6 aspects however her six-minute switch to end up the first one-half led to a plus-11 on the scoreboard to press the bring about 19 at fifty percent. The U.S. then started the second fifty percent on a 15-0 run and the stress was actually provided for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson and also Stewart, who entered the video game balancing a matching 20.3 scores every video game, played their company of experienced tormenter sphere. Wilson put in 20 aspects on 9-of-11 firing along with 11 rebounds and 2 blocks. Stewart possessed 13 factors on 5-of-7 shooting along with 5 rebounds and also 3 assists.Brittney Griner came off the bench to rating 11 points on 4-of-5 firing. Those three internal markers integrating for 16-of-21 is actually hard to beat.The USA entered the game balancing 29 helps and also once more put on a ball-sharing facility by assembling 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which cut the lead up to as low as thirteen in the fourth one-fourth, along with 19 points. The video game finished along with a little bit of upper hand when the U.S.'s Kahleah Copper received a technological foul for tossing the ball at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she scored in the ultimate secs.