Sports

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

.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Elderly Person WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA author considering that 2010.Covered Cleveland Cavs for seven years.Author of 2 booksPARIS-- The combo of A'ja Wilson and also Breanna Stewart has actually proven to be a devasting mixture for the Team USA females, to the point where there is actually a situation building that they could possibly share the Olympics Most Belongings Player Award.But there is actually a brand new duo arising, though certainly not an unusual one, that's proved to become a huge improvement as the Americans pursue another gold medal.Las Las vega Aces allies Kelsey Plum and also Jackie Young have actually improved to be difference-makers in France and also participated in key parts in Crew United States's 88-74 victory over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It marked the group's 59th successive Olympic victory and sets up a semifinal competition versus Australia, winners over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Young completed with double-digit aspects for the second straight activity, shooting 60% from the field in the United States' win over Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve moved Youthful into the starting sequence in place of expert Diana Taurasi against Nigeria, a crew known for participating in high stress full-court defense that tests opposing guards.It was a perks after Young scored 19 aspects along with four steals off the bench in the ultimate swimming pool play activity versus Germany. She reacted along with another exceptional performance, having fun with energy at both ends alongside yet another Aces teammate, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young scored 15 aspects as well as helped bring the USA outburst early in the video game as the Americans got off to a little a slow begin by their standards.Nigeria lagged through only four factors midway via the second fourth. That's when Reeve headed to Plum, who was the 12th as well as ultimate player to get into the ready the Americans. Plum instantaneously altered the activity along with her death as well as rate on the repulsive point, giving out 3 simple helps as well as nailing a 3-pointer. Plum finished with only six factors but her six-minute shift to complete the very first fifty percent led to a plus-11 on the scoreboard to drive the cause 19 at one-half. The united state at that point began the second half on a 15-0 operate and also the stress and anxiety was done for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson and Stewart, that came into the video game averaging a matching 20.3 scores per game, played their brand name of competent bully round. Wilson put in 20 factors on 9-of-11 capturing with 11 rebounds and also 2 blocks. Stewart had 13 factors on 5-of-7 capturing along with five rebounds and also 3 assists.Brittney Griner came off the seat to rating 11 points on 4-of-5 firing. Those 3 indoor markers incorporating for 16-of-21 is actually tough to beat.The USA got in the game balancing 29 assists and once again put on a ball-sharing center through assembling 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which cut the lead up to as reduced as 13 in the 4th one-fourth, along with 19 points. The activity ended with a little advantage when the USA's Kahleah Copper acquired a specialized foul for throwing the ball at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she racked up in the ultimate secs.