.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Senior WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA writer because 2010.Dealt With Cleveland Cavs for 7 years.Writer of pair of booksPARIS-- The mix of A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart has confirmed to be a devasting mixture for the Staff USA ladies, to the point where there is actually an instance cultivating that they might discuss the Olympics The majority of Prized Possession Gamer Award.But there is actually a brand-new duo arising, though not a shocking one, that is actually shown to be a big improvement as the Americans pursue an additional gold medal.Las Vegas Aces colleagues Kelsey Plum as well as Jackie Young have actually stepped up to become difference-makers in France and also played vital tasks in Staff U.S.A.'s 88-74 victory over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It marked the crew's 59th consecutive Olympic triumph and sets up a semifinal matchup versus Australia, victors over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Young finished with double-digit aspects for the second upright game, shooting 60% coming from the area in the United States' gain Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve moved Young in to the beginning lineup in place of pro Diana Taurasi versus Nigeria, a team understood for playing high pressure full-court defense that challenges opposing guards.It was actually a reward after Youthful scored 19 factors with four steals off the bench in the last swimming pool play game against Germany. She reacted with another great functionality, having fun with power at each ends together with one more Aces teammate, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young racked up 15 factors and also assisted bring the united state outburst early in the game as the Americans got off to a bit of a slow begin through their standards.Nigeria lagged through merely four aspects midway with the second fourth. That's when Reeve mosted likely to Plum, who was actually the 12th and ultimate player to enter the game for the Americans. Plum quickly altered the activity along with her passing as well as speed on the offending end, serving up 3 fast supports and also toenailing a 3-pointer. Plum do with only 6 factors yet her six-minute switch to finish the 1st one-half resulted in a plus-11 on the scoreboard to press the trigger 19 at fifty percent. The united state then started the second one-half on a 15-0 operate and also the stress and anxiety was created for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson as well as Stewart, that came into the game averaging a matching 20.3 points per activity, played their brand of skillful tormenter ball. Wilson put in twenty factors on 9-of-11 shooting with 11 rebounds and also two blocks. Stewart possessed 13 factors on 5-of-7 capturing with five rebounds and three assists.Brittney Griner came off the bench to credit rating 11 points on 4-of-5 capturing. Those 3 internal scorers integrating for 16-of-21 is tough to beat.The USA got in the game averaging 29 assists as well as once more put on a ball-sharing facility by putting together 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which cut the lead to as low as 13 in the fourth one-fourth, with 19 scores. The game finished along with a little upper hand when the USA's Kahleah Copper acquired a technological filthy for tossing the ball at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she racked up in the ultimate seconds.