Sports

U. S. women's hoops pulverizes Nigeria, reaches Olympic semis

.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Elderly Person WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA author given that 2010.Dealt With Cleveland Cavs for seven years.Author of 2 booksPARIS-- The blend of A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart has actually verified to be a devasting mix for the Staff USA females, relevant where there is a situation developing that they can discuss the Olympics A lot of Belongings Player Award.But there is actually a brand-new duo surfacing, though certainly not an astonishing one, that's verified to be a large increase as the Americans work toward another gold medal.Las Vegas Aces colleagues Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young have actually stepped up to be difference-makers in France and also played key tasks in Group USA's 88-74 success over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It denoted the group's 59th successive Olympic success and also puts together a semifinal matchup against Australia, champions over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Young do with double-digit aspects for the 2nd straight activity, firing 60% from the industry in the USA' sway Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve moved Young in to the starting sequence in place of veteran Diana Taurasi against Nigeria, a staff known for participating in higher pressure full-court defense that challenges setting against guards.It was a perks after Youthful scored 19 factors along with 4 takes off the seat in the ultimate pool play video game versus Germany. She reacted along with an additional exceptional efficiency, enjoying with electricity at both ends together with another Aces teammate, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young racked up 15 points and also assisted bring the U.S. offense early in the activity as the Americans left to a little bit of a slow start by their standards.Nigeria was behind by simply 4 factors midway with the second fourth. That's when Reeve went to Plum, who was actually the 12th and last player to enter the game for the Americans. Plum instantaneously changed the game with her passing away as well as velocity on the objectionable point, dispensing three easy supports and also toenailing a 3-pointer. Plum finished with only 6 factors however her six-minute shift to complete the 1st one-half led to a plus-11 on the scoreboard to push the bring about 19 at half. The united state at that point started the second half on a 15-0 operate as well as the worry was actually created for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson as well as Stewart, who came into the activity averaging a matching 20.3 scores per video game, played their brand of skillful bully ball. Wilson put in 20 points on 9-of-11 capturing with 11 rebounds and also two blocks. Stewart had thirteen factors on 5-of-7 capturing with 5 rebounds and also 3 assists.Brittney Griner went over the seat to credit rating 11 ideas on 4-of-5 firing. Those three internal scorers combining for 16-of-21 is actually challenging to beat.The USA entered into the activity balancing 29 aids as well as once again put on a ball-sharing center through setting up 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which reduced the lead to as reduced as 13 in the 4th one-fourth, with 19 scores. The activity ended along with a little advantage when the U.S.'s Kahleah Copper received a technical filthy for throwing the reception at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she racked up in the last seconds.

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