.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Senior Citizen WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA article writer because 2010.Covered Cleveland Cavs for 7 years.Writer of two booksPARIS-- The mix of A'ja Wilson and also Breanna Stewart has shown to be a devasting mixture for the Group United States females, relevant where there is actually a scenario building that they could share the Olympics Many Valuable Gamer Award.But there is actually a brand-new duo developing, though certainly not a shocking one, that is actually shown to become a significant improvement as the Americans pursue yet another gold medal.Las Vegas Aces colleagues Kelsey Plum as well as Jackie Youthful have actually stepped up to be difference-makers in France and played vital tasks in Staff U.S.A.'s 88-74 victory over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It indicated the group's 59th consecutive Olympic triumph and also puts together a semifinal matchup versus Australia, champions over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Youthful completed 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 moved Young into the starting lineup instead of pro Diana Taurasi versus Nigeria, a staff recognized for playing high tension full-court defense that tests setting against guards.It was actually an incentive after Youthful racked up 19 factors with 4 steals off the bench in the last pool play activity against Germany. She reacted along with an additional superb functionality, enjoying with energy at both ends together with an additional Aces ally, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young scored 15 aspects as well as helped bring the USA offense early in the game as the Americans left to a bit of a sluggish beginning through their standards.Nigeria lagged through just 4 factors midway with the 2nd fourth. That's when Reeve headed to Plum, that was the 12th and ultimate gamer to get in the game for the Americans. Plum instantaneously modified the game along with her passing and velocity on the objectionable point, dishing out three easy supports and nailing a 3-pointer. Plum do with only 6 aspects however her six-minute shift to complete the initial one-half caused a plus-11 on the scoreboard to press the bring about 19 at half. The united state then began the second half on a 15-0 run and the worry was created for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson and Stewart, who came into the video game averaging a matching 20.3 points per activity, played their brand of experienced bully sphere. Wilson invested twenty aspects on 9-of-11 firing along with 11 rebounds and also pair of blocks. Stewart had 13 factors on 5-of-7 shooting with 5 rebounds and 3 assists.Brittney Griner went over the bench to rating 11 ideas on 4-of-5 shooting. Those 3 internal markers integrating for 16-of-21 is difficult to beat.The USA went into the video game balancing 29 supports and also once again placed on a ball-sharing clinic by putting together 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which cut the lead up to as reduced as thirteen in the fourth quarter, along with 19 points. The video game finished along with a little edge when the united state's Kahleah Copper acquired a specialized repulsive for tossing the reception at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she scored in the final seconds.