Sports

U. S. girls's hoops squashes Nigeria, reaches Olympic semis

.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Elderly Person WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA writer due to the fact that 2010.Covered Cleveland Cavs for seven years.Writer of pair of booksPARIS-- The blend of A'ja Wilson and also Breanna Stewart has actually shown to be a devasting blend for the Staff United States women, relevant where there is actually an instance developing that they can discuss the Olympics Most Prized Possession Player Award.But there is actually a brand-new duo arising, though certainly not a surprising one, that is actually proved to become a significant increase as the Americans work toward yet another gold medal.Las Vegas Aces allies Kelsey Plum as well as Jackie Youthful have actually stepped up to be difference-makers in France and participated in essential jobs in Group United States's 88-74 success over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It marked the staff's 59th successive Olympic success and also establishes a semifinal competition versus Australia, winners over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Young finished with double-digit factors for the second upright activity, shooting 60% coming from the field in the United States' draw Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve moved Young in to the starting sequence in place of professional Diana Taurasi against Nigeria, a team recognized for playing higher tension full-court defense that tests opposing guards.It was actually a reward after Young scored 19 points with four steals off the bench in the final pool play video game against Germany. She responded with one more superb functionality, playing with power at each ends together with another Aces ally, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young scored 15 points and helped carry the U.S. outburst early in the activity as the Americans got off to a bit of a sluggish begin through their standards.Nigeria was behind through merely four aspects midway with the 2nd fourth. That's when Reeve headed to Plum, who was actually the 12th and also ultimate gamer to enter into the game for the Americans. Plum right away altered the activity with her passing away and also speed on the annoying point, dispensing three easy helps as well as toenailing a 3-pointer. Plum do with only six points however her six-minute shift to complete the 1st one-half resulted in a plus-11 on the scoreboard to press the lead to 19 at fifty percent. The U.S. at that point started the 2nd one-half on a 15-0 run and also the anxiety was done for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson as well as Stewart, that came into the video game balancing a matching 20.3 scores per activity, played their label of professional oppressor ball. Wilson invested 20 factors on 9-of-11 shooting along with 11 rebounds and two blocks. Stewart possessed thirteen aspects on 5-of-7 capturing with five rebounds and also 3 assists.Brittney Griner came off the seat to credit rating 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting. Those 3 indoor scorers integrating for 16-of-21 is actually difficult to beat.The USA entered the game balancing 29 supports and also once again applied a ball-sharing medical clinic by constructing 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which cut the lead to as low as thirteen in the 4th quarter, along with 19 scores. The game finished with a little upper hand when the united state's Kahleah Copper got a technological filthy for tossing the reception at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she racked up in the ultimate few seconds.