.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Senior Citizen WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA author given that 2010.Dealt With Cleveland Cavs for 7 years.Author of 2 booksPARIS-- The mixture of A'ja Wilson and also Breanna Stewart has actually proven to be a devasting combination for the Staff United States females, relevant where there is actually a scenario building that they could possibly discuss the Olympics Many Prized Possession Gamer Award.But there is actually a new duo developing, though certainly not an astonishing one, that is actually shown to become a major improvement as the Americans work toward another gold medal.Las Vegas Aces teammates Kelsey Plum and Jackie Youthful have stepped up to become difference-makers in France and played essential tasks in Staff United States's 88-74 triumph over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It signified the team's 59th consecutive Olympic triumph and also puts together a semifinal match against Australia, champions over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Youthful do with double-digit factors for the second upright video game, firing 60% coming from the field in the USA' win over Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve relocated Young into the starting lineup instead of professional Diana Taurasi versus Nigeria, a crew known for participating in higher tension full-court self defense that tests setting against guards.It was a perks after Youthful scored 19 factors with 4 steals off the seat in the final swimming pool play activity against Germany. She reacted with another superb efficiency, having fun with power at each points alongside one more Aces teammate, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young racked up 15 aspects and assisted carry the united state offense early in the activity as the Americans got off to a bit of a lethargic start by their standards.Nigeria lagged by simply 4 aspects midway by means of the second quarter. That's when Reeve headed to Plum, that was the 12th and also ultimate player to get into the game for the Americans. Plum promptly transformed the game along with her death and also speed on the offending end, dispensing 3 simple supports and toenailing a 3-pointer. Plum completed with just 6 aspects yet her six-minute change to end up the 1st one-half led to a plus-11 on the scoreboard to push the bring about 19 at half. The USA at that point started the 2nd fifty percent on a 15-0 operate and the stress was actually done for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson and also Stewart, who entered into the game averaging a matching 20.3 points every game, played their company of proficient tormenter ball. Wilson placed in twenty aspects on 9-of-11 firing with 11 rebounds and also 2 blocks. Stewart had thirteen aspects on 5-of-7 firing along with five rebounds and 3 assists.Brittney Griner went over the bench to credit rating 11 ideas on 4-of-5 capturing. Those three indoor markers integrating for 16-of-21 is actually challenging to beat.The U.S. entered the activity averaging 29 assists and also once again placed on a ball-sharing clinic by constructing 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which cut the lead down to as low as 13 in the fourth quarter, with 19 scores. The activity finished with a little bit of upper hand when the USA's Kahleah Copper received a technological filthy for tossing the ball at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she scored in the ultimate seconds.