.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Elder WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA article writer since 2010.Covered Cleveland Cavs for seven years.Writer of 2 booksPARIS-- The blend of A'ja Wilson and also Breanna Stewart has actually proven to become a devasting mix for the Team U.S.A. girls, relevant where there is a scenario creating that they might share the Olympics Most Belongings Gamer Award.But there is actually a new duo emerging, though not a shocking one, that is actually proved to become a major improvement as the Americans work toward an additional gold medal.Las Las vega Aces teammates Kelsey Plum and also Jackie Youthful have improved to become difference-makers in France and also participated in vital functions in Group United States's 88-74 success over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It denoted the staff's 59th consecutive Olympic triumph and also sets up a semifinal match against 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, firing 60% from the field in the United States' get Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve relocated Youthful in to the beginning lineup in place of veteran Diana Taurasi against Nigeria, a crew understood for participating in higher pressure full-court self defense that tests opposing guards.It was a perks after Youthful scored 19 aspects with 4 steals off the bench in the final swimming pool play activity versus Germany. She answered along with another great efficiency, enjoying with power at each ends together with one more Aces ally, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young racked up 15 aspects and assisted carry the U.S. outburst early in the video game as the Americans got off to a little a lethargic start by their standards.Nigeria lagged through merely four points midway with the second one-fourth. That's when Reeve headed to Plum, that was the 12th and final player to go into the game for the Americans. Plum promptly changed the activity with her passing away and rate on the outrageous end, serving up 3 fast helps as well as nailing a 3-pointer. Plum do with just six factors however her six-minute shift to end up the initial one-half caused a plus-11 on the scoreboard to drive the bring about 19 at half. The USA after that began the second one-half on a 15-0 run and also the anxiety was actually created for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson as well as Stewart, who came into the video game balancing a matching 20.3 points per video game, played their label of competent oppressor sphere. Wilson invested 20 points on 9-of-11 firing with 11 rebounds as well as two blocks. Stewart possessed 13 aspects on 5-of-7 shooting along with five rebounds and 3 assists.Brittney Griner came off the bench to credit rating 11 points on 4-of-5 firing. Those three interior markers mixing for 16-of-21 is hard to beat.The USA entered the video game averaging 29 assists and again put on a ball-sharing center through constructing 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which reduced the lead down to as low as thirteen in the fourth one-fourth, along with 19 scores. The game ended with a little upper hand when the USA's Kahleah Copper acquired a specialized filthy for tossing the reception at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she racked up in the last secs.