.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Elder WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA author because 2010.Dealt With Cleveland Cavs for 7 years.Writer of two booksPARIS-- The mixture of A'ja Wilson as well as Breanna Stewart has actually confirmed to be a devasting combo for the Staff United States females, relevant where there is a situation building that they might share the Olympics Many Valuable Gamer Award.But there is actually a new duo emerging, though not an unexpected one, that is actually proved to become a major boost as the Americans work toward one more gold medal.Las Vegas Aces colleagues Kelsey Plum as well as Jackie Young have actually stepped up to be difference-makers in France and participated in essential duties in Group United States's 88-74 triumph over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It signified the group's 59th consecutive Olympic triumph and also puts together a semifinal competition versus Australia, winners over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Young completed with double-digit factors for the 2nd upright video game, shooting 60% from the field in the United States' win over Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve moved Youthful right into the starting sequence instead of pro Diana Taurasi versus Nigeria, a staff recognized for participating in higher pressure full-court defense that challenges setting against guards.It was a perks after Youthful scored 19 points with four steals off the bench in the ultimate pool play game against Germany. She reacted along with yet another great efficiency, having fun with energy at each points alongside yet another Aces colleague, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young racked up 15 aspects and assisted hold the USA offense early in the activity as the Americans left to a little a sluggish start through their standards.Nigeria lagged by just four points midway with the 2nd fourth. That's when Reeve headed to Plum, that was actually the 12th as well as last player to enter the ready the Americans. Plum immediately transformed the activity with her death and velocity on the offending point, serving up three simple aids as well as nailing a 3-pointer. Plum finished with only 6 aspects yet her six-minute switch to finish the very first one-half caused a plus-11 on the scoreboard to push the bring about 19 at half. The united state then started the 2nd fifty percent on a 15-0 operate and the tension was done for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson and also Stewart, that entered into the activity balancing a matching 20.3 points every game, played their brand name of skillful oppressor round. Wilson placed in twenty points on 9-of-11 firing with 11 rebounds as well as pair of blocks. Stewart possessed 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting with five rebounds and three assists.Brittney Griner came off the bench to credit rating 11 points on 4-of-5 firing. Those 3 indoor scorers blending for 16-of-21 is actually challenging to beat.The U.S. got into the activity averaging 29 helps as well as once more placed on a ball-sharing facility by putting together 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which cut the top to as low as thirteen in the fourth quarter, with 19 points. The game ended along with a little upper hand when the united state's Kahleah Copper acquired a specialized foul for tossing the ball at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she scored in the final seconds.