Sports

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

.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Senior WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA article writer given that 2010.Dealt With Cleveland Cavs for 7 years.Author of pair of booksPARIS-- The blend of A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart has actually proven to become a devasting combination for the Crew United States girls, relevant where there is actually an instance establishing that they could possibly discuss the Olympics Many Belongings Player Award.But there is actually a brand new duo surfacing, though certainly not an unexpected one, that is actually proved to be a significant increase as the Americans work toward yet another gold medal.Las Las vega Aces colleagues Kelsey Plum as well as Jackie Young have actually improved to become difference-makers in France and played vital tasks in Staff USA's 88-74 victory over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It marked the staff's 59th successive Olympic victory and sets up a semifinal competition against Australia, winners over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Young completed with double-digit aspects for the second upright activity, shooting 60% from the field in the USA' get Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve relocated Youthful in to the beginning lineup instead of veteran Diana Taurasi versus Nigeria, a crew understood for participating in higher pressure full-court self defense that tests opposing guards.It was actually a benefit after Youthful racked up 19 factors with four swipes off the bench in the last swimming pool play game against Germany. She reacted with an additional superb functionality, enjoying with energy at both points along with one more Aces ally, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young racked up 15 aspects as well as helped carry the U.S. offense early in the activity as the Americans left to a bit of a slow-moving beginning through their standards.Nigeria was behind by simply 4 points midway with the second one-fourth. That's when Reeve went to Plum, that was actually the 12th as well as final gamer to go into the game for the Americans. Plum promptly changed the game along with her passing and rate on the outrageous point, dishing out three quick helps and toenailing a 3-pointer. Plum do with merely six factors however her six-minute change to complete the very first one-half led to a plus-11 on the scoreboard to push the bring about 19 at fifty percent. The united state then began the second half on a 15-0 operate and the stress was created for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson as well as Stewart, that entered the activity averaging a matching 20.3 points every video game, played their company of experienced oppressor round. Wilson invested 20 aspects on 9-of-11 capturing along with 11 rebounds and 2 blocks. Stewart had thirteen aspects on 5-of-7 shooting along with 5 rebounds as well as 3 assists.Brittney Griner went over the seat to score 11 ideas on 4-of-5 shooting. Those three indoor markers integrating for 16-of-21 is difficult to beat.The U.S. got into the activity balancing 29 assists and also once again put on a ball-sharing clinic by putting together 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which cut the lead up to as low as thirteen in the 4th one-fourth, with 19 scores. The activity ended along with a little bit of upper hand when the U.S.'s Kahleah Copper obtained a technical repulsive for tossing the reception at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she scored in the ultimate few seconds.