Sports

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

.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Elderly Person WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA article writer considering that 2010.Dealt With Cleveland Cavs for 7 years.Writer of 2 booksPARIS-- The mix of A'ja Wilson and also Breanna Stewart has actually verified to become a devasting mixture for the Group U.S.A. women, relevant where there is an instance building that they can discuss the Olympics Many Belongings Gamer Award.But there is actually a new duo developing, though not a shocking one, that's shown to become a significant boost as the Americans work toward yet another gold medal.Las Las vega Aces teammates Kelsey Plum and also Jackie Youthful have actually stepped up to be difference-makers in France as well as participated in vital duties in Team U.S.A.'s 88-74 triumph over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It marked the crew's 59th consecutive Olympic victory and also sets up a semifinal competition versus Australia, victors over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Young finished with double-digit aspects for the 2nd straight game, firing 60% coming from the field in the USA' get Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve moved Young in to the starting sequence in place of pro Diana Taurasi versus Nigeria, a staff understood for playing high stress full-court protection that tests opposing guards.It was a reward after Young racked up 19 aspects along with 4 steals off the bench in the ultimate pool play activity against Germany. She responded along with another great efficiency, playing with electricity at both points together with another Aces teammate, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young racked up 15 aspects and aided bring the U.S. offense early in the activity as the Americans left to a little bit of a slow beginning by their standards.Nigeria lagged by only four factors midway via the 2nd one-fourth. That's when Reeve mosted likely to Plum, that was the 12th and ultimate player to enter into the ready the Americans. Plum promptly altered the activity with her passing and also rate on the offensive end, dispensing 3 easy assists as well as toenailing a 3-pointer. Plum completed with merely six aspects however her six-minute change to finish the initial half resulted in a plus-11 on the scoreboard to drive the result in 19 at one-half. The U.S. at that point started the 2nd half on a 15-0 operate as well as the stress and anxiety was actually provided for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson as well as Stewart, that came into the activity balancing a matching 20.3 scores every activity, played their brand of proficient tormenter round. Wilson placed in 20 points on 9-of-11 firing with 11 rebounds as well as 2 blocks. Stewart had thirteen aspects on 5-of-7 capturing with 5 rebounds as well as three assists.Brittney Griner went over the bench to score 11 ideas on 4-of-5 firing. Those 3 internal markers incorporating for 16-of-21 is difficult to beat.The USA got in the activity balancing 29 aids as well as again put on a ball-sharing clinic through putting together 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which reduced the lead up to as low as 13 in the fourth quarter, with 19 scores. The game ended with a little bit of advantage when the united state's Kahleah Copper acquired a technological filthy for throwing the ball at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she scored in the last secs.