Sports

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

.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Elderly Person WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA author considering that 2010.Dealt With Cleveland Cavs for 7 years.Author of pair of booksPARIS-- The mix of A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart has actually proven to become a devasting mix for the Group U.S.A. ladies, to the point where there is a case cultivating that they could possibly discuss the Olympics The majority of Prized Possession Player Award.But there's a brand new duo arising, though certainly not an unusual one, that's proved to become a huge boost as the Americans work toward one more gold medal.Las Las vega Aces colleagues Kelsey Plum as well as Jackie Youthful have improved to be difference-makers in France as well as played vital roles in Group United States's 88-74 victory over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It indicated the crew's 59th successive Olympic success and sets up a semifinal match versus Australia, winners over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Young finished with double-digit aspects for the second straight video game, firing 60% coming from the industry in the USA' draw Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve moved Youthful right into the beginning lineup instead of professional Diana Taurasi versus Nigeria, a group known for participating in higher tension full-court defense that tests setting against guards.It was actually an incentive after Youthful racked up 19 aspects along with 4 steals off the seat in the ultimate swimming pool play activity versus Germany. She reacted with yet another excellent functionality, having fun with energy at both ends along with another Aces colleague, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young scored 15 aspects as well as helped hold the USA offense early in the activity as the Americans got off to a little bit of a slow-moving beginning through their standards.Nigeria lagged by simply four aspects midway through the second fourth. That is actually when Reeve visited Plum, that was actually the 12th as well as ultimate player to go into the game for the Americans. Plum quickly transformed the video game with her passing away and also speed on the objectionable end, serving up 3 easy assists as well as nailing a 3-pointer. Plum do with just 6 points however her six-minute switch to end up the very first one-half caused a plus-11 on the scoreboard to press the trigger 19 at fifty percent. The united state then began the 2nd fifty percent on a 15-0 operate and also the stress and anxiety was provided for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson as well as Stewart, who came into the game averaging a matching 20.3 scores per video game, played their brand name of seasoned tormenter sphere. Wilson put in twenty points on 9-of-11 capturing with 11 rebounds and pair of blocks. Stewart had 13 points on 5-of-7 capturing with five rebounds and also 3 assists.Brittney Griner went over the seat to score 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting. Those three interior markers incorporating for 16-of-21 is tough to beat.The united state went into the game balancing 29 supports and also once again placed on a ball-sharing facility by putting together 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which reduced the lead down to as low as thirteen in the fourth quarter, along with 19 points. The video game finished along with a little advantage when the USA's Kahleah Copper received a technical foul for tossing the reception at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she scored in the ultimate seconds.