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.
