Sports

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

.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Elder WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA writer given that 2010.Covered Cleveland Cavs for seven years.Writer of 2 booksPARIS-- The blend of A'ja Wilson as well as Breanna Stewart has confirmed to become a devasting blend for the Team USA females, relevant where there is a case developing that they can share the Olympics The majority of Valuable Gamer Award.But there is actually a new duo developing, though not an astonishing one, that's verified to be a significant increase as the Americans pursue yet another gold medal.Las Las vega Aces teammates Kelsey Plum as well as Jackie Young have actually stepped up to be difference-makers in France and also participated in key jobs in Staff USA's 88-74 victory over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It indicated the team's 59th successive Olympic success and also sets up a semifinal match against Australia, winners over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Young finished with double-digit points for the second upright activity, shooting 60% coming from the area in the United States' gain Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve relocated Youthful right into the beginning sequence in place of professional Diana Taurasi versus Nigeria, a crew known for playing higher tension full-court protection that tests opposing guards.It was a perks after Young scored 19 points along with 4 swipes off the seat in the final pool play activity versus Germany. She answered with yet another outstanding efficiency, playing with power at each points together with an additional Aces colleague, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young scored 15 points as well as aided hold the U.S. outburst early in the activity as the Americans got off to a little a slow beginning through their standards.Nigeria lagged by simply four factors midway with the second quarter. That is actually when Reeve headed to Plum, that was actually the 12th as well as ultimate gamer to get into the game for the Americans. Plum quickly altered the game with her death as well as speed on the objectionable point, serving up 3 easy supports and also toenailing a 3-pointer. Plum completed with just six factors yet her six-minute shift to end up the 1st half resulted in a plus-11 on the scoreboard to push the lead to 19 at fifty percent. The USA then began the 2nd one-half on a 15-0 operate and the stress and anxiety was provided for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson and Stewart, that entered into the game balancing a matching 20.3 points per game, played their label of seasoned oppressor round. Wilson put in 20 aspects on 9-of-11 capturing with 11 rebounds as well as two blocks. Stewart had thirteen points on 5-of-7 shooting along with 5 rebounds and 3 assists.Brittney Griner went over the seat to credit rating 11 points on 4-of-5 capturing. Those three indoor markers blending for 16-of-21 is actually tough to beat.The united state went into the game balancing 29 helps and again placed on a ball-sharing medical clinic by putting together 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which reduced the lead down to as low as 13 in the fourth one-fourth, with 19 scores. The game finished with a little edge when the united state's Kahleah Copper got a specialized repulsive for throwing the ball at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she racked up in the last seconds.