.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Senior Citizen WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA author due to the fact that 2010.Covered Cleveland Cavs for seven years.Writer of 2 booksPARIS-- The mix of A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart has confirmed to become a devasting mixture for the Crew U.S.A. women, relevant where there is an instance building that they could possibly discuss the Olympics The majority of Prized Possession Player Award.But there is actually a brand-new duo emerging, though certainly not a surprising one, that is actually verified to be a large boost as the Americans pursue one more gold medal.Las Vegas Aces allies Kelsey Plum and Jackie Youthful have actually stepped up to become difference-makers in France and also participated in crucial parts in Staff U.S.A.'s 88-74 triumph over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It indicated the team's 59th successive Olympic triumph as well as sets up a semifinal competition versus Australia, winners over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Youthful completed with double-digit points for the 2nd upright game, shooting 60% from the area in the USA' gain Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve moved Young into the beginning sequence in place of veteran Diana Taurasi versus Nigeria, a group known for participating in high tension full-court self defense that challenges opposing guards.It was a benefit after Youthful racked up 19 points with 4 steals off the bench in the last pool play video game versus Germany. She responded with yet another superb functionality, having fun with energy at each points along with yet another Aces ally, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young racked up 15 points and also aided bring the USA outburst early in the video game as the Americans left to a little a slow-moving beginning by their standards.Nigeria lagged by simply 4 points midway through the 2nd quarter. That is actually when Reeve went to Plum, that was actually the 12th and ultimate gamer to get into the game for the Americans. Plum instantly altered the game along with her death and also rate on the offensive point, dishing out three simple aids and nailing a 3-pointer. Plum completed with just 6 aspects however her six-minute change to complete the very first half led to a plus-11 on the scoreboard to press the bring about 19 at one-half. The USA at that point began the second half on a 15-0 run as well as the worry was done for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson and Stewart, who entered the video game averaging a matching 20.3 scores per game, played their brand of seasoned oppressor sphere. Wilson invested twenty aspects on 9-of-11 shooting with 11 rebounds as well as pair of blocks. Stewart possessed 13 aspects on 5-of-7 firing along with 5 rebounds and also three assists.Brittney Griner went over the bench to credit rating 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting. Those 3 indoor scorers integrating for 16-of-21 is actually challenging to beat.The U.S. went into the video game averaging 29 assists and also once again put on a ball-sharing facility through putting together 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which reduced the top up to as reduced as thirteen in the fourth quarter, with 19 scores. The video game ended with a little edge when the USA's Kahleah Copper got a technological repulsive for throwing the ball at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she scored in the last seconds.