.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Elder WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA article writer given that 2010.Dealt With Cleveland Cavs for seven years.Author of 2 booksPARIS-- The blend of A'ja Wilson as well as Breanna Stewart has actually proven to become a devasting mixture for the Staff USA females, to the point where there is actually a case developing that they could possibly discuss the Olympics Most Belongings Player Award.But there is actually a brand-new duo emerging, though certainly not an unusual one, that's confirmed to be a huge improvement as the Americans work toward an additional gold medal.Las Las vega Aces allies Kelsey Plum as well as Jackie Youthful have stepped up to become difference-makers in France and played key tasks in Staff U.S.A.'s 88-74 success over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It denoted the crew's 59th consecutive Olympic success as well as establishes a semifinal competition against Australia, winners over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Young finished with double-digit aspects for the 2nd straight activity, shooting 60% from the area in the USA' get Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve moved Youthful right into the beginning sequence in place of professional Diana Taurasi against Nigeria, a staff understood for playing high tension full-court self defense that tests setting against guards.It was a benefit after Young racked up 19 factors with four swipes off the seat in the final pool play game versus Germany. She reacted along with another superb efficiency, enjoying with electricity at both ends along with another Aces ally, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young racked up 15 points as well as assisted lug the united state outburst early in the video game as the Americans left to a little a slow-moving start through their standards.Nigeria was behind through only four aspects midway through the 2nd one-fourth. That is actually when Reeve headed to Plum, that was the 12th and last player to get in the game for the Americans. Plum promptly altered the activity with her death and also velocity on the offending point, giving out three fast supports as well as toenailing a 3-pointer. Plum completed with simply 6 points however her six-minute switch to finish the very first one-half led to a plus-11 on the scoreboard to press the lead to 19 at fifty percent. The U.S. then began the second fifty percent on a 15-0 run and also the stress was done for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson and Stewart, who entered into the activity averaging a matching 20.3 points per game, played their company of skillful oppressor round. Wilson placed in 20 points on 9-of-11 firing with 11 rebounds and 2 blocks. Stewart possessed thirteen points on 5-of-7 capturing with 5 rebounds and three assists.Brittney Griner went over the seat to rating 11 points on 4-of-5 capturing. Those 3 internal markers integrating for 16-of-21 is challenging to beat.The USA got into the video game averaging 29 helps and also once again applied a ball-sharing clinic by setting up 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which cut the top down to as low as 13 in the fourth one-fourth, along with 19 scores. The video game ended along with a little advantage when the U.S.'s Kahleah Copper obtained a technical foul for throwing the ball at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she racked up in the last seconds.