.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Elder WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA article writer due to the fact that 2010.Dealt With Cleveland Cavs for seven years.Writer of two booksPARIS-- The mix of A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart has proven to be a devasting combo for the Crew United States females, relevant where there is actually a scenario creating that they might share the Olympics Many Valuable Player Award.But there's a brand new duo emerging, though certainly not an unexpected one, that is actually confirmed to become a significant increase as the Americans pursue yet another gold medal.Las Las vega Aces teammates Kelsey Plum and also Jackie Youthful have actually stepped up to become difference-makers in France and participated in key functions in Group United States's 88-74 victory over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It marked the team's 59th consecutive Olympic victory and also sets up a semifinal match versus Australia, winners over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Young do with double-digit points for the 2nd straight activity, shooting 60% coming from the field in the USA' gain Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve relocated Young right into the beginning lineup instead of veteran Diana Taurasi versus Nigeria, a crew understood for playing higher stress full-court self defense that challenges setting against guards.It was actually a reward after Young scored 19 points along with 4 steals off the seat in the final pool play video game against Germany. She responded with another exceptional performance, playing with power at both ends together with yet another Aces ally, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young racked up 15 factors and aided lug the united state outburst early in the game as the Americans got off to a little bit of a slow begin through their standards.Nigeria lagged through simply four factors midway by means of the second quarter. That's when Reeve mosted likely to Plum, who was the 12th and also ultimate player to enter into the game for the Americans. Plum instantly changed the game with her death and also speed on the offensive point, dispensing 3 quick supports as well as toenailing a 3-pointer. Plum finished with simply six points yet her six-minute switch to finish the very first fifty percent led to a plus-11 on the scoreboard to push the bring about 19 at one-half. The united state after that started the 2nd fifty percent on a 15-0 operate and the worry was actually done for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson as well as Stewart, who entered into the activity averaging a matching 20.3 points per activity, played their brand of proficient bully sphere. Wilson put in twenty aspects on 9-of-11 capturing with 11 rebounds as well as 2 blocks. Stewart possessed thirteen points on 5-of-7 firing along with five rebounds and 3 assists.Brittney Griner came off the bench to credit rating 11 points on 4-of-5 capturing. Those three internal scorers incorporating for 16-of-21 is actually tough to beat.The united state got into the video game averaging 29 aids and also once again applied a ball-sharing medical clinic through setting up 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which cut the lead down to as low as 13 in the fourth quarter, with 19 scores. The game finished with a little bit of edge when the U.S.'s Kahleah Copper got a technical foul for throwing the reception at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she scored in the ultimate seconds.