.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Senior Citizen WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA writer given that 2010.Dealt With Cleveland Cavs for seven years.Writer of 2 booksPARIS-- The blend of A'ja Wilson and also Breanna Stewart has actually shown to be a devasting combo for the Crew U.S.A. women, to the point where there is an instance cultivating that they can discuss the Olympics The majority of Prized Possession Gamer Award.But there is actually a brand-new duo developing, though not an unusual one, that's shown to become a major boost as the Americans pursue one more gold medal.Las Las vega Aces allies Kelsey Plum and also Jackie Young have improved to become difference-makers in France and participated in crucial duties in Staff United States's 88-74 triumph over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It marked the group's 59th consecutive Olympic success and puts together a semifinal competition against Australia, winners over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Youthful finished with double-digit aspects for the second straight video game, firing 60% from the field in the United States' gain Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve moved Young right into the starting sequence instead of pro Diana Taurasi against Nigeria, a staff recognized for participating in higher pressure full-court protection that tests setting against guards.It was actually a reward after Youthful racked up 19 factors along with four takes off the seat in the final pool play game against Germany. She responded with yet another great performance, enjoying with power at each ends alongside yet another Aces ally, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young scored 15 factors and aided carry the united state offense early in the game as the Americans left to a bit of a lethargic start through their standards.Nigeria lagged by merely 4 points midway via the second fourth. That is actually when Reeve went to Plum, who was actually the 12th and also ultimate player to get into the ready the Americans. Plum instantaneously transformed the activity along with her passing away and velocity on the annoying point, dispensing 3 easy assists as well as toenailing a 3-pointer. Plum do with just six factors yet her six-minute switch to complete the very first half caused a plus-11 on the scoreboard to drive the trigger 19 at fifty percent. The U.S. at that point started the 2nd half on a 15-0 operate as well as the stress was provided for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson as well as Stewart, that entered the activity averaging a matching 20.3 points every activity, played their label of skilled bully round. Wilson placed in 20 factors on 9-of-11 firing along with 11 rebounds and also two blocks. Stewart had thirteen aspects on 5-of-7 shooting along with five rebounds and 3 assists.Brittney Griner came off the bench to score 11 ideas on 4-of-5 capturing. Those 3 interior scorers incorporating for 16-of-21 is actually challenging to beat.The U.S. entered the game balancing 29 assists and again applied a ball-sharing clinic through putting together 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which reduced the top to as reduced as thirteen in the 4th one-fourth, with 19 points. The game finished with a little advantage when the U.S.'s Kahleah Copper got a technical repulsive for throwing the reception at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she racked up in the last secs.