Sports

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

.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Senior WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA writer considering that 2010.Covered Cleveland Cavs for 7 years.Author of 2 booksPARIS-- The mix of A'ja Wilson as well as Breanna Stewart has verified to be a devasting combination for the Team USA women, relevant where there is actually a situation developing that they could discuss the Olympics A lot of Belongings Player Award.But there's a brand new duo emerging, though certainly not an unexpected one, that's verified to become a huge improvement as the Americans pursue another gold medal.Las Vegas Aces colleagues Kelsey Plum and also Jackie Young have boosted to be difference-makers in France as well as participated in crucial parts in Staff USA's 88-74 victory over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It marked the group's 59th consecutive Olympic success and sets up a semifinal match versus Australia, champions over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Young completed with double-digit factors for the second straight activity, shooting 60% coming from the field in the United States' get Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve moved Youthful into the beginning sequence in place of pro Diana Taurasi versus Nigeria, a team known for participating in high pressure full-court protection that tests opposing guards.It was a benefit after Young scored 19 points along with four takes off the seat in the last pool play video game against Germany. She reacted along with another excellent performance, having fun with energy at each ends together with an additional Aces ally, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young scored 15 factors and also helped bring the U.S. offense early in the video game as the Americans got off to a little a lethargic begin through their standards.Nigeria was behind by merely 4 factors midway through the 2nd quarter. That's when Reeve mosted likely to Plum, who was the 12th and also last gamer to get in the game for the Americans. Plum quickly transformed the video game along with her death and velocity on the repulsive end, dishing out 3 quick supports as well as toenailing a 3-pointer. Plum do with just six points but her six-minute switch to complete the first one-half led to a plus-11 on the scoreboard to drive the trigger 19 at fifty percent. The united state then started the second fifty percent on a 15-0 operate and also the stress was actually created for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson and also Stewart, that entered the video game balancing a matching 20.3 scores per activity, played their brand of proficient bully round. Wilson placed in twenty points on 9-of-11 shooting along with 11 rebounds as well as two blocks. Stewart had thirteen points on 5-of-7 firing with five rebounds and also 3 assists.Brittney Griner went over the bench to rating 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting. Those three interior scorers combining for 16-of-21 is hard to beat.The united state entered the game balancing 29 helps and also again placed on a ball-sharing center through putting together 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which cut the top down to as reduced as 13 in the 4th quarter, along with 19 points. The activity finished along with a little bit of edge when the united state's Kahleah Copper obtained a technological foul for throwing the ball at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she racked up in the last few seconds.