.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Senior WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA author due to the fact that 2010.Dealt With Cleveland Cavs for seven years.Writer of pair of booksPARIS-- The blend of A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart has actually verified to be a devasting mix for the Group USA women, relevant where there is actually a scenario developing that they could discuss the Olympics The majority of Belongings Player Award.But there's a brand new duo arising, though not a shocking one, that's proved to be a big boost as the Americans pursue yet another gold medal.Las Las vega Aces teammates Kelsey Plum and also Jackie Youthful have improved to become difference-makers in France as well as participated in essential tasks in Group USA's 88-74 victory over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It denoted the group's 59th consecutive Olympic triumph and establishes a semifinal competition against Australia, champions over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Young finished with double-digit points for the second straight game, firing 60% coming from the industry in the United States' get Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve relocated Young in to the starting sequence instead of veteran Diana Taurasi against Nigeria, a group understood for participating in higher tension full-court defense that challenges opposing guards.It was actually a reward after Youthful scored 19 factors with four steals off the bench in the last swimming pool play activity versus Germany. She reacted with an additional great performance, having fun with electricity at both points along with another Aces teammate, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young racked up 15 factors as well as assisted carry the U.S. outburst early in the activity as the Americans left to a little bit of a slow-moving beginning through their standards.Nigeria was behind by only four aspects midway by means of the 2nd one-fourth. That is actually when Reeve visited Plum, who was actually the 12th as well as last player to enter the ready the Americans. Plum instantly modified the video game along with her death and rate on the outrageous point, dishing out 3 simple supports and also nailing a 3-pointer. Plum completed with only 6 aspects yet her six-minute switch to complete the initial half caused a plus-11 on the scoreboard to press the bring about 19 at half. The united state after that began the 2nd fifty percent on a 15-0 run and the tension was provided for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson and Stewart, that came into the activity balancing a matching 20.3 scores every activity, played their company of proficient tormenter round. Wilson placed in 20 points on 9-of-11 shooting along with 11 rebounds as well as two blocks. Stewart possessed thirteen aspects on 5-of-7 shooting along with 5 rebounds and also three assists.Brittney Griner went over the bench to score 11 points on 4-of-5 capturing. Those three interior scorers combining for 16-of-21 is tough to beat.The U.S. got into the video game balancing 29 helps and also once again placed on a ball-sharing facility through putting together 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which reduced the lead to as low as thirteen in the fourth one-fourth, with 19 points. The activity finished with a little bit of advantage when the U.S.'s Kahleah Copper got a technological foul for tossing the reception at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she racked up in the ultimate few seconds.