.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Elderly Person WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA article writer considering that 2010.Covered Cleveland Cavs for seven years.Author of pair of booksPARIS-- The combination of A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart has actually verified to be a devasting blend for the Group USA women, relevant where there is an instance establishing that they can share the Olympics Many Prized Possession Player Award.But there's a brand-new duo arising, though certainly not an astonishing one, that's proved to become a significant increase as the Americans pursue one more gold medal.Las Vegas Aces colleagues Kelsey Plum and also Jackie Youthful have stepped up to be difference-makers in France and played essential roles in Crew U.S.A.'s 88-74 victory over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It signified the group's 59th consecutive Olympic success and sets up a semifinal matchup against Australia, victors over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Young finished with double-digit aspects for the 2nd upright game, shooting 60% coming from the area in the United States' gain Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve moved Young right into the starting lineup instead of expert Diana Taurasi versus Nigeria, a team understood for playing high pressure full-court protection that challenges opposing guards.It was a perks after Youthful scored 19 aspects with 4 steals off the bench in the ultimate pool play game against Germany. She reacted with another outstanding efficiency, having fun with power at each ends alongside another Aces teammate, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young scored 15 points and aided hold the united state offense early in the video game as the Americans left to a little bit of a slow-moving begin through their standards.Nigeria was behind through simply four aspects midway by means of the second fourth. That's when Reeve mosted likely to Plum, that was actually the 12th as well as final player to get in the ready the Americans. Plum promptly transformed the video game along with her passing and also speed on the repulsive end, dishing out 3 fast aids as well as nailing a 3-pointer. Plum finished with just 6 aspects yet her six-minute shift to complete the 1st fifty percent led to a plus-11 on the scoreboard to drive the cause 19 at one-half. The USA at that point started the 2nd fifty percent on a 15-0 operate and also the worry was actually created for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson and Stewart, that entered into the activity averaging a matching 20.3 scores per activity, played their brand of proficient tormenter ball. Wilson put in 20 factors on 9-of-11 capturing with 11 rebounds and 2 blocks. Stewart had thirteen aspects on 5-of-7 shooting with 5 rebounds and also 3 assists.Brittney Griner went over the seat to rating 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting. Those three internal markers mixing for 16-of-21 is actually hard to beat.The united state got into the activity balancing 29 helps as well as again placed on a ball-sharing facility through constructing 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which reduced the lead down to as low as 13 in the fourth one-fourth, with 19 points. The activity ended along with a little upper hand when the united state's Kahleah Copper received a specialized filthy for tossing the ball at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she scored in the final few seconds.