For a second there, it appeared like Nigeria might pose an actual menace to Crew USA. Ezinne Kalu, one of many breakout stars of the event, was seemingly hitting every little thing, and Nigeria was solely down by 5 factors halfway by the second quarter. Then, Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson occurred, USA discovered its offensive footing, and the remainder was historical past.
The uswent a run to shut the primary half and take a 21-point lead heading into halftime. And similar to that, Nigeria turned the most recent Olympic workforce to be on the unsuitable finish of a blowout. Nigeria trailed by 20+ for a lot of the second half, earlier than ending the sport on a 27-6 run. Crew USA’s balanced and environment friendly offense proved an excessive amount of for Nigeria to beat — USA shot 62% from the sector, and each single participant scored.
The victory pushes the U.S. ladies one step nearer to their eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal, and additional cements simply how tough it is going to be for any workforce within the discipline to beat America.
Right here’s what went down within the quarterfinals showdown between the U.S. and Nigeria — trace: there’s a complete lot of déjà vu.
Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson dominate (once more)
The quarterfinals matchup between USA and Nigeria adopted an identical script to lots of Crew USA’s video games up to now within the Paris Olympics. For some time, it appeared like Nigeria — powered by Promise Amukamara (19 factors), Ezinne Kalu (16 factors) and Amy Okonkwo (17 factors) — might hold round.
Then, A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart as soon as once more fashioned the unstoppable frontcourt duo they’ve been all through everything of those video games. On this one, it was Wilson who led the best way with 20 factors on Sept. 11 taking pictures, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, and a pair of blocks. Stewart added 13 factors (5-7 FG), 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and a pair of blocks.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25563820/2164229364.jpg)
Picture by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE by way of Getty Photos
Groups have been capable of finding a solution to coping with Wilson-Stewart duo, and Nigeria — which has no gamers taller than 6’ 2 within the lineup — was no exception. Each American star publish gamers are 6’ 4, whereas Brittney Griner, who added 11 factors off the bench, is 6’ 8. Their sheer measurement far outmatched Nigeria’s, and it definitely didn’t damage that Stewart hit 2 of three three-pointers, both.
A’ja Wilson turned the primary American participant since Candace Parker in 2012 to complete with at the least three double-doubles in a single Olympics. She’s presently the second-leading scorer within the event.
Stewart completed with a team-best plus-minus of +27, whereas Wilson completed a +26.
Jackie Younger continues her sturdy play
Earlier in pool play, it appeared that Aces guard Jackie Younger was one of many gamers on the backside of the rotation. However Younger — a defensive stalwart — had a breakthrough offensive recreation on Sunday in opposition to Germany, exploding for 19 factors. Slightly than that being a one-off affair, she was subsequently inserted into the beginning lineup rather than Diana Taurasi in opposition to Nigeria, and continued her environment friendly scoring. She ending with 15 factors on 6-10 taking pictures, 3 rebounds, and a pair of assists. She was a +24 in her 18 minutes of play.
Younger, Wilson, and Stewart had been the one gamers on USA’s roster to complete with a plus-minus larger than +17.
Subsequent up, the U.S. ladies’s basketball workforce takes on Australia
The victory over Nigeria marked the USA’s 59th consecutive Olympic basketball win in, a streak that is still unequalled in skilled sports activities. On Friday at 3pm ET, the U.S. will face Australia within the semifinals. A win in that recreation would assure a spot within the Gold Medal Sport on Sunday, whereas a loss would ship them to the Bronze Medal Sport.
Australia has recovered properly from a gradual begin within the event, defeating Serbia 85-67 within the quarterfinals to advance to the semifinals. Australia’s roster is inundated with WNBA expertise, headlined by Ezi Magbegor (Storm), Alanna Smith (Lynx), Stephanie Talbot (Sparks), Jade Melbourne (Mystics), Sami Whitcomb (Storm), and Kristy Wallace (Indiana).
Sami Whitcomb has been Australia’s main scorer all through the Olympics, averaging 14.8 factors on 50% taking pictures, whereas Alanna Smith has averaged 12.3 factors on 55.9% taking pictures. Magbegor, a WNBA defensive participant of the 12 months candidate, has anchored Australia’s protection, however has been surprisingly quiet offensively.
The sheer quantity of WNBA gamers on Australia’s roster provides them a extra possible pathway to victory than most Olympic opponents — however this is similar Australia workforce that opened up Olympic play with a loss to Nigeria. It’d be tough to wager in opposition to USA in any matchup, however Australia ought to be positioned to up a combat nearly as good as anybody.
