Sports

U. S. females's hoops crushes Nigeria, arrives at Olympic semis

.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Senior WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA author due to the fact that 2010.Covered Cleveland Cavs for seven years.Writer of pair of booksPARIS-- The mix of A'ja Wilson as well as Breanna Stewart has proven to be a devasting mix for the Group U.S.A. females, relevant where there is actually a scenario developing that they could possibly discuss the Olympics The majority of Belongings Player Award.But there is actually a brand new duo developing, though not an unusual one, that's shown to be a significant boost as the Americans pursue another gold medal.Las Las vega Aces colleagues Kelsey Plum and also Jackie Young have boosted to be difference-makers in France as well as played vital roles in Group United States's 88-74 victory over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It denoted the team's 59th consecutive Olympic victory and sets up a semifinal competition against Australia, champions over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Youthful do with double-digit factors for the 2nd upright video game, firing 60% from the industry in the USA' gain Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve relocated Youthful in to the beginning lineup in place of veteran Diana Taurasi versus Nigeria, a team understood for playing high pressure full-court defense that tests opposing guards.It was actually a benefit after Youthful scored 19 aspects with 4 swipes off the seat in the last pool play activity versus Germany. She answered with yet another exceptional performance, enjoying with power at each ends together with an additional Aces ally, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young racked up 15 aspects and also helped hold the U.S. offense early in the video game as the Americans got off to a bit of a slow-moving beginning by their standards.Nigeria was behind through only 4 aspects midway via the second quarter. That is actually when Reeve headed to Plum, that was the 12th as well as ultimate player to get into the ready the Americans. Plum right away altered the activity with her passing away and also velocity on the offending end, dishing out 3 simple aids and also nailing a 3-pointer. Plum do with just 6 aspects but her six-minute switch to finish the initial one-half resulted in a plus-11 on the scoreboard to press the bring about 19 at fifty percent. The USA at that point began the 2nd fifty percent on a 15-0 operate and also the worry was actually created for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson and Stewart, who entered into the game averaging a matching 20.3 points per game, played their brand of professional bully ball. Wilson put in 20 aspects on 9-of-11 capturing along with 11 rebounds as well as 2 blocks. Stewart possessed thirteen aspects on 5-of-7 firing along with five rebounds and 3 assists.Brittney Griner went over the bench to rating 11 ideas on 4-of-5 shooting. Those three interior scorers integrating for 16-of-21 is difficult to beat.The USA entered the video game balancing 29 helps as well as again placed on a ball-sharing facility through constructing 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which reduced the top down to as low as 13 in the 4th quarter, with 19 scores. The activity finished with a little upper hand when the united state's Kahleah Copper received a specialized repulsive for tossing the reception at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she scored in the final seconds.