For a second there, it seemed like Nigeria might pose an actual problem to Staff USA. Ezinne Kalu, one of many breakout stars of the match, was seemingly hitting all the things, and Nigeria was solely down by 5 factors halfway by the second quarter.
However, the USA made a run to shut the primary half to take a 21-point lead heading into the second half. And similar to that, Nigeria turned the most recent Olympic group to be on the flawed finish of a blowout. They trailed by 20+ for many of the second half, earlier than ending the sport on a 27-6 run.
Staff USA was red-hot from the ground — capturing 62% from the sector. The victory places this system one step nearer to its eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal.
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 a lot of Staff USA’s video games thus far in these Olympics. For some time there, it appeared like Nigeria might dangle round. Then, A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart mixed to kind the unstoppable frontcourt duo they’ve been by the whole lot 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 completed with 13 factors (5-7 FG), 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and a couple of blocks.
Staff have had a troublesome time coping with Wilson-Stewart duo all match, and Nigeria was no exception. It didn’t assist that there isn’t a single participant in Nigeria’s lineup taller than 6’ 2, whereas each American star put up gamers are 6’ 4.
A’ja Wilson turned the primary American participant since Candace Parker in 2012 to complete with no less than three double-doubles in a single Olympics. She’s at present the second-leading scorer within the match.
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 sport on Sunday towards Germany, exploding for 19 factors, and was inserted to the beginning lineup instead of Diana Taurasi.
Younger continued her 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 unequalled in skilled sports activities. Subsequent up, the U.S. will face Australia within the semifinals, slated for Friday at 3pm ET.
Australia defeated Serbia 85-67 within the quarterfinals, and has recovered nicely from a sluggish begin within the match. 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.