Sports

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

.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Senior WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA article writer since 2010.Covered Cleveland Cavs for seven years.Writer of pair of booksPARIS-- The blend of A'ja Wilson and also Breanna Stewart has confirmed to become a devasting combination for the Crew United States females, relevant where there is a situation cultivating that they might discuss the Olympics Many Belongings Gamer Award.But there is actually a new duo emerging, though certainly not a shocking one, that's confirmed to become a major improvement as the Americans work toward one more gold medal.Las Las vega Aces allies Kelsey Plum as well as Jackie Youthful have stepped up to become difference-makers in France and participated in essential parts in Group U.S.A.'s 88-74 triumph over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It signified the crew's 59th successive Olympic victory and sets up a semifinal match versus Australia, victors over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Youthful do with double-digit factors for the second straight activity, firing 60% coming from the industry in the United States' get Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve relocated Youthful right into the beginning sequence in place of expert Diana Taurasi versus Nigeria, a group known for playing higher pressure full-court protection that challenges setting against guards.It was actually an incentive after Young racked up 19 factors along with 4 takes off the bench in the ultimate swimming pool play activity against Germany. She answered with one more superb efficiency, having fun with power at both points alongside yet another Aces teammate, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young racked up 15 aspects as well as helped lug the U.S. offense early in the video game as the Americans got off to a little a lethargic start by their standards.Nigeria was behind through only 4 points midway via the 2nd quarter. That's when Reeve mosted likely to Plum, that was actually the 12th as well as last gamer to get in the ready the Americans. Plum quickly changed the video game with her death and also velocity on the objectionable end, dishing out three quick supports as well as nailing a 3-pointer. Plum finished with simply 6 factors but her six-minute shift to complete the first fifty percent caused a plus-11 on the scoreboard to push the result in 19 at fifty percent. The U.S. at that point began the second one-half on a 15-0 operate and the tension was provided for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson and Stewart, that entered into the activity balancing a matching 20.3 points per activity, played their brand of skilled bully sphere. Wilson invested 20 aspects on 9-of-11 firing with 11 rebounds and also pair of blocks. Stewart had 13 factors on 5-of-7 shooting with five rebounds and also three assists.Brittney Griner came off the seat to credit rating 11 points on 4-of-5 capturing. Those three internal markers incorporating for 16-of-21 is difficult to beat.The U.S. entered into the game averaging 29 aids as well as again placed on a ball-sharing medical clinic by constructing 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which reduced the lead down to as low as thirteen in the 4th one-fourth, with 19 points. The game finished along with a little bit of upper hand when the U.S.'s Kahleah Copper received a technical repulsive for tossing the ball at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she scored in the last few seconds.