U.S. women’s basketball reaches the Olympic semifinals with a commanding win over Nigeria.
PARIS — A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart have proved to be a devastating combination for the Team USA women, to the point where there is a case developing that they could share the Olympics Most Valuable Player award.
But there’s a new duo emerging, though not a surprising one, that has proved to be a big boost as the Americans work toward another gold medal.
Las Vegas Aces teammates Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young have stepped up to be difference-makers in France and played key roles in Team USA’s 88-74 victory over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.
It marked the team’s 59th consecutive Olympic victory and sets up a semifinal matchup against Australia, winners Wednesday over Serbia, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.
Coach Cheryl Reeve moved Young into the starting lineup in place of veteran Diana Taurasi against Nigeria, a team known for playing high-pressure full-court defense that challenges opposing guards.
« She’s playing the way we want to play both ends of the floor », Reeve said of Young. « And it’s time to get to that space where we understand that if we don’t win, we go home. »
It was a reward after Young scored 19 points with four steals off the bench in the final pool play game against Germany.
