Sports

U. S. females's hoops squashes Nigeria, gets to Olympic semis

.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Elder WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA article writer because 2010.Dealt With Cleveland Cavs for seven years.Writer of 2 booksPARIS-- The combo of A'ja Wilson as well as Breanna Stewart has shown to become a devasting blend for the Team USA women, to the point where there is actually a situation cultivating that they might share the Olympics A lot of Prized Possession Player Award.But there's a brand-new duo arising, though not an unexpected one, that is actually shown to become a significant improvement as the Americans work toward an additional gold medal.Las Las vega Aces colleagues Kelsey Plum and Jackie Youthful have boosted to become difference-makers in France as well as participated in vital functions in Staff United States's 88-74 triumph over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It denoted the crew's 59th consecutive Olympic success and sets up a semifinal matchup against Australia, victors over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Youthful completed with double-digit points for the 2nd straight activity, firing 60% coming from the field in the USA' sway Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve moved Youthful in to the beginning sequence in place of professional Diana Taurasi against Nigeria, a group known for playing high tension full-court defense that tests opposing guards.It was a reward after Young racked up 19 aspects with four steals off the bench in the ultimate pool play video game against Germany. She answered along with yet another superb efficiency, playing with power at each ends alongside one more Aces colleague, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young racked up 15 factors as well as helped carry the U.S. offense early in the game as the Americans got off to a bit of a slow start through their standards.Nigeria was behind through simply four points midway by means of the 2nd fourth. That is actually when Reeve headed to Plum, who was the 12th as well as final gamer to get into the ready the Americans. Plum instantaneously altered the activity with her passing away as well as rate on the annoying point, dispensing 3 fast aids as well as nailing a 3-pointer. Plum finished with only six factors yet her six-minute change to end up the first half led to a plus-11 on the scoreboard to push the result in 19 at one-half. The U.S. after that began the second one-half on a 15-0 run as well as the stress and anxiety was done for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson and also Stewart, that entered the game balancing a matching 20.3 points every activity, played their label of competent oppressor sphere. Wilson put in twenty points on 9-of-11 firing with 11 rebounds as well as two blocks. Stewart had 13 factors on 5-of-7 firing with five rebounds and 3 assists.Brittney Griner came off the bench to credit rating 11 ideas on 4-of-5 shooting. Those 3 indoor markers integrating for 16-of-21 is challenging to beat.The USA got into the game averaging 29 assists and also once more put on a ball-sharing clinic through constructing 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which reduced the lead up to as low as thirteen in the 4th quarter, along with 19 scores. The video game ended with a little advantage when the united state's Kahleah Copper obtained a technological nasty for throwing the reception at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she scored in the last few seconds.