For a second there, it seemed like Nigeria may pose an actual problem to Group USA. Ezinne Kalu, one of many breakout stars of the event, was seemingly hitting all the things, and Nigeria was solely down by 5 factors halfway by the second quarter. Then, Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson occurred.
The united stateswent a run to shut the primary half and took a 21-point lead heading into halftime. And similar to that, Nigeria turned the most recent Olympic group to be on the incorrect finish of a blowout. Nigeria trailed by 20+ for many of the second half, earlier than ending the sport on a 27-6 run. Group USA’s balanced and environment friendly offense proved an excessive amount of for Nigeria to beat — USA shot 62% from the sphere.
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 time within the discipline to beat USA.
Right here’s what went down within the quarterfinals showdown between the U.S. and Nigeria.
Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson dominate (once more)
The quarterfinals matchup between USA and Nigeria adopted the same script as lots of Group USA’s video games to this point in these Olympics. For some time, it appeared like Nigeria — powered by Promise Amukamara (19 factors), Ezinne Kalu (16 factors) and Amy Okonkwo (17 factors) may hold round. T
hen, 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 9/11 capturing, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, and a couple of blocks. Stewart added 13 factors (5-7 FG), 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and a couple of blocks.
All event lengthy, group haven’t discovered 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.
A’ja Wilson turned the primary American participant since Candace Parker in 2012 to complete with a minimum of three double-doubles in a single Olympics. She’s presently the second-leading scorer within the event.
Jackie Younger continues her robust 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 towards Germany, exploding for 19 factors. She was subsequently inserted into the beginning lineup rather than Diana Taurasi towards Nigeria.
Younger continued enjoying with an offensive groove on this one, ending with 15 factors on 6-10 capturing, 3 rebounds, and a couple of assists.
Subsequent up, the U.S. ladies’s basketball group takes on Australia
The victory over Nigeria marks the USA’s 59th consecutive Olympic win in ladies’s basketball, a streak that continues to be unmatched 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 Recreation on Sunday.
Australia defeated Serbia 85-67 within the quarterfinals, and has recovered nicely from a gradual begin within the event. Australia’s roster is inundated with WNBA expertise, together with Ezi Magbegor (Storm), Alanna Smith (Lynx), Stephanie Talbot (Sparks), Jade Melbourne (Mystics), Sami Whitcomb (Storm), and Kristy Wallace (Indiana). Whitcomb has been Australia’s main scorer all through the Olympics, averaging 14.8 factors on 50% capturing, whereas Alanna Smith has averaged 12.3 factors on 55.9% capturing. Magbegor, a WNBA defensive participant of the 12 months candidate, has anchored Australia’s protection.
The sheer quantity of WNBA gamers on Australia’s roster provides them a extra doubtless pathway towards victory — however this is identical Australia group that beforehand fell to Nigeria to start Olympic play.
