Sports

U. S. girls's hoops crushes Nigeria, arrives at Olympic partially

.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Senior Citizen WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA article writer given that 2010.Covered Cleveland Cavs for seven years.Author of two booksPARIS-- The combo of A'ja Wilson as well as Breanna Stewart has verified to be a devasting mix for the Group United States girls, to the point where there is actually a situation developing that they might discuss the Olympics The majority of Prized Possession Player Award.But there's a new duo surfacing, though not a surprising one, that's proved to be a big boost as the Americans work toward yet another gold medal.Las Vegas Aces allies Kelsey Plum and also Jackie Young have actually boosted to be difference-makers in France as well as participated in key duties in Group U.S.A.'s 88-74 victory over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It signified the staff's 59th consecutive Olympic success as well as puts together a semifinal competition versus Australia, champions over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Young finished with double-digit aspects for the second upright game, firing 60% from the industry in the United States' draw Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve moved Youthful right into the starting lineup instead of veteran Diana Taurasi versus Nigeria, a group recognized for playing high tension full-court self defense that challenges opposing guards.It was actually a benefit after Young scored 19 points with four steals off the bench in the ultimate pool play video game against Germany. She reacted along with another great efficiency, having fun with energy at each points alongside one more Aces colleague, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young scored 15 points as well as assisted hold the USA offense early in the game as the Americans left to a little a slow begin through their standards.Nigeria was behind through simply 4 points midway by means of the 2nd fourth. That is actually when Reeve visited Plum, that was actually the 12th and also final gamer to enter into the game for the Americans. Plum promptly changed the video game along with her passing and rate on the outrageous point, serving up 3 simple helps and nailing a 3-pointer. Plum do with just 6 factors however her six-minute change to finish the 1st one-half caused a plus-11 on the scoreboard to press the result in 19 at half. The U.S. at that point started the 2nd half on a 15-0 run and also the stress was actually created for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson and also Stewart, who entered the game balancing a matching 20.3 scores every game, played their brand of professional tormenter sphere. Wilson placed in 20 points on 9-of-11 firing with 11 rebounds and pair of blocks. Stewart had thirteen factors on 5-of-7 capturing along with 5 rebounds and also three assists.Brittney Griner went over the bench to credit rating 11 points on 4-of-5 firing. Those three internal markers mixing for 16-of-21 is actually hard to beat.The U.S. entered the activity averaging 29 helps and once again placed on a ball-sharing clinic through putting together 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which reduced the lead to as reduced as thirteen in the fourth quarter, along with 19 points. The activity finished along with a little bit of advantage when the USA's Kahleah Copper acquired a technological repulsive for throwing the ball at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she racked up in the ultimate few seconds.