Sports

U. S. women's hoops squashes Nigeria, hits Olympic partially

.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Senior WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA author because 2010.Dealt With Cleveland Cavs for seven years.Writer of two booksPARIS-- The blend of A'ja Wilson and also Breanna Stewart has confirmed to be a devasting combo for the Group U.S.A. girls, relevant where there is actually a scenario building that they might share the Olympics A lot of Belongings Gamer Award.But there is actually a brand-new duo developing, though certainly not a shocking one, that's shown to be a large increase as the Americans work toward one more gold medal.Las Vegas Aces teammates Kelsey Plum and Jackie Youthful have actually stepped up to be difference-makers in France and participated in key duties in Staff U.S.A.'s 88-74 victory over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It signified the group's 59th successive Olympic triumph and also puts together 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 2nd upright game, firing 60% coming from the industry in the United States' win over Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve moved Young into the beginning lineup instead of pro Diana Taurasi against Nigeria, a team known for participating in high pressure full-court defense that challenges setting against guards.It was a benefit after Young scored 19 factors with 4 swipes off the bench in the ultimate swimming pool play video game versus Germany. She answered with one more excellent performance, enjoying with energy at each points together with yet another Aces colleague, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young scored 15 factors and helped lug the U.S. offense early in the video game as the Americans got off to a little a sluggish start through their standards.Nigeria was behind by merely four points midway through the 2nd quarter. That's when Reeve headed to Plum, that was actually the 12th and also ultimate player to get in the ready the Americans. Plum promptly transformed the game with her passing and also speed on the outrageous point, giving out three simple helps and also nailing a 3-pointer. Plum finished with just six points however her six-minute shift to finish the first one-half caused a plus-11 on the scoreboard to drive the result in 19 at half. The USA after that started the 2nd fifty percent on a 15-0 operate and also the stress was actually done for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson and also Stewart, who came into the video game averaging a matching 20.3 points every game, played their brand name of professional tormenter sphere. Wilson placed in 20 aspects on 9-of-11 firing with 11 rebounds and two blocks. Stewart had 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting along with five rebounds and also three assists.Brittney Griner came off the seat to rating 11 ideas on 4-of-5 capturing. Those three indoor scorers incorporating for 16-of-21 is tough to beat.The united state entered into the activity balancing 29 assists and once again applied a ball-sharing medical clinic through putting together 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which reduced the lead down to as reduced as 13 in the 4th one-fourth, along with 19 points. The activity ended along with a little edge when the USA's Kahleah Copper got a technological foul for tossing the reception at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she scored in the final secs.