Sports

U. S. women's hoops pulverizes Nigeria, arrives at Olympic partially

.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Elderly Person WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA writer because 2010.Dealt With Cleveland Cavs for seven years.Writer of two booksPARIS-- The combo of A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart has actually shown to be a devasting mix for the Group U.S.A. females, relevant where there is actually an instance establishing that they can discuss the Olympics A lot of Belongings Player Award.But there's a new duo surfacing, though certainly not a surprising one, that's verified to become a major improvement as the Americans pursue another gold medal.Las Vegas Aces colleagues Kelsey Plum and also Jackie Youthful have actually stepped up to become difference-makers in France as well as participated in essential roles in Staff U.S.A.'s 88-74 victory over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It signified the team's 59th consecutive Olympic triumph and sets up a semifinal match against Australia, victors over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Young do with double-digit factors for the 2nd straight video game, shooting 60% from the field in the USA' gain Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve moved Young right into the starting sequence in place of professional Diana Taurasi versus Nigeria, a group understood for participating in higher tension full-court self defense that challenges opposing guards.It was a perks after Youthful scored 19 factors along with four steals off the bench in the ultimate pool play game versus Germany. She answered along with an additional superb functionality, having fun with energy at both points along with an additional Aces colleague, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young scored 15 factors and assisted bring the united state outburst early in the game as the Americans left to a little bit of a lethargic start through their standards.Nigeria lagged by only four factors midway with the 2nd one-fourth. That is actually when Reeve went to Plum, who was actually the 12th and also ultimate gamer to get in the ready the Americans. Plum instantaneously modified the video game along with her passing away and velocity on the offending point, dishing out 3 quick aids and toenailing a 3-pointer. Plum finished with simply 6 points but her six-minute switch to end up the first fifty percent resulted in a plus-11 on the scoreboard to press the trigger 19 at one-half. The united state after that started the 2nd half on a 15-0 run and also the worry was created for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson and also Stewart, that entered the video game balancing a matching 20.3 scores every video game, played their label of seasoned bully sphere. Wilson put in twenty points on 9-of-11 shooting along with 11 rebounds as well as 2 blocks. Stewart possessed 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting along with 5 rebounds and also 3 assists.Brittney Griner went over the seat to score 11 points on 4-of-5 capturing. Those three interior markers integrating for 16-of-21 is challenging to beat.The USA got into the activity averaging 29 helps and also again placed on a ball-sharing clinic by assembling 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which reduced the lead up to as low as 13 in the fourth quarter, with 19 scores. The activity finished along with a little upper hand when the U.S.'s Kahleah Copper got a technical filthy for tossing the reception at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she racked up in the last secs.