.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Senior Citizen WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA author since 2010.Covered Cleveland Cavs for seven years.Author of two booksPARIS-- The mix of A'ja Wilson as well as Breanna Stewart has proven to become a devasting blend for the Staff United States women, relevant where there is an instance cultivating that they could discuss the Olympics Most Belongings Gamer Award.But there's a brand new duo emerging, though not an astonishing one, that is actually proved to become a huge improvement as the Americans pursue one more gold medal.Las Las vega Aces teammates Kelsey Plum and Jackie Youthful have actually boosted to become difference-makers in France and also participated in vital parts in Group United States'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 match against Australia, champions over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Young completed with double-digit aspects for the 2nd straight video game, firing 60% coming from the area in the USA' gain Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve relocated Youthful right into the beginning lineup in place of veteran Diana Taurasi against Nigeria, a crew known for participating in higher pressure full-court self defense that challenges setting against guards.It was actually a benefit after Young racked up 19 factors with four takes off the seat in the ultimate swimming pool play game versus Germany. She reacted along with an additional outstanding performance, enjoying with energy at both ends together with another Aces ally, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young scored 15 points and also helped hold the united state offense early in the activity as the Americans got off to a little bit of a slow start through their standards.Nigeria lagged by just 4 aspects midway through the second fourth. That is actually when Reeve went to Plum, who was actually the 12th and also ultimate gamer to enter into the game for the Americans. Plum immediately transformed the video game along with her passing and also speed on the repulsive end, serving up 3 fast assists and also nailing a 3-pointer. Plum finished with simply six points yet her six-minute change to finish the first one-half caused a plus-11 on the scoreboard to drive the trigger 19 at half. The U.S. at that point began the second one-half on a 15-0 run and also the tension was created for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson and Stewart, who entered into the video game averaging a matching 20.3 scores every game, played their label of skillful oppressor sphere. Wilson put in 20 factors on 9-of-11 capturing with 11 rebounds and also 2 blocks. Stewart possessed thirteen points on 5-of-7 capturing along with 5 rebounds as well as three assists.Brittney Griner came off the bench to credit rating 11 points on 4-of-5 capturing. Those three interior markers incorporating for 16-of-21 is actually tough to beat.The united state got into the video game averaging 29 assists as well as again placed on a ball-sharing clinic through setting up 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which reduced the top up to as reduced as thirteen in the fourth one-fourth, with 19 scores. The activity finished along with a little advantage when the united state's Kahleah Copper got a technical repulsive for throwing the ball at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she racked up in the last seconds.