The United States overcame Nigeria 88-74 to go to the semifinals against Australia, with four Americans scoring in double digits. Team USA is attempting to earn its ninth straight gold medal.
“We can’t take anything for granted,” Sabrina Ionescu stated about her team’s first elimination game. “Now it’s win or go home. We’re going to get each team’s best shot. We have a bullseye on our backs, but it will only help us improve.
A’ja Wilson led her team with 20 points on 9-of-11 shooting, her fifth career 20-point game in the Olympics. She also tallied 11 rebounds and two blocks. Jackie Young scored 15 points in her Olympic debut, Breanna Stewart scored 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting, and Brittney Griner contributed 11 points off the bench. The encounter saw all 12 American players score.
The defense sparked the USA’s attack early, forcing five Nigeria turnovers in the first five minutes. Young was a critical component of that defensive effort.
“My role on the team was to come in and be aggressive on the defensive end, be physical, and come in and get stops,” Young told ESPN. And that gets us into transition on the offensive end. That gets you feeling it a little bit; if you get stops on defense, you can go on offense.”
With 5:27 remaining in the first quarter, the Americans led 10-4 after Young made back-to-back baskets. Young made a step-through layup, then a spinning jump shot, forcing Nigeria into a timeout.
Later in the quarter, Jewell Loyd converted a three-point play with 1:17 remaining, and Diana Taurasi followed with a transition 3-pointer to cap an 8-0 run for the United States, giving them their first double-digit game lead. Elizabeth Balogun responded with three of her own to cap the run, but Team USA won the quarter 26-17.
Seven Americans scored in the first period, topped by Stewart, who had seven points. They also helped with eight of their ten field goals.
Griner opened the second quarter with two points inside, and Thomas added a layup of her own. But Nigeria fought back, with three points from Ezinne Kalu and two free throws from Amy Okonkwo, cutting Team USA’s advantage to 31-27.
At that point, the United States stepped on the gas. Wilson followed Nigeria’s run with jumpers on consecutive possessions, increasing her team’s advantage to eight points. Kelsey Plum then scored her first points on a 3-pointer with 4:44 remaining in the half, followed by an assist to Wilson inside, extending the USA advantage to 40–29. Young then converted two free throws after being fouled on an offensive rebound, giving the Americans a 13-point lead.
Stewart’s 3-pointer and fastbreak layup gave the USA a 52-33 lead at halftime. She led her team with 13 points at halftime, Wilson had ten, and Young had nine. For Nigeria, Kalu finished the first half with 12 points.
The Americans shot 59% from the field in the first quarter and 70% on two-pointers. Team USA has used its size throughout the Olympics to score in the paint and out-rebound its opponents. In the first half, the United States scored 22 points in the paint against Nigeria’s 10. They also out-rebounded the Nigerians 19 to 13.
“The start was huge; that was our main key,” Wilson told me. “Our starts must be amazing since the team on the opposite end is attempting to tear our heads off (laughing). They want something and are greedy, so we understood we had to get off to a good start by punching first.
Team USA started the second half on a 10-0 run, with baskets from Collier, Young, and Wilson. Promise Amukamara broke the streak with a 3-pointer at 5:37 in the third period, but the United States had already taken control of the game.
Team USA led by as many as 30 points, outscoring Nigeria 44-28 in the paint, 23-11 on the fastbreak, and 33-9 on the bench. The Americans also helped with 31 of their 34 field goals.
“We should always make the next pass to the next person,” according to Taurasi. “We have 12 of the world’s finest players, and everyone must find a way to contribute. We’ve always found a way to accomplish that.”
In conclusion, Team USA’s defensive performance was critical to their victory over Nigeria and passage to the women’s Olympic basketball semifinals. Throughout the game, the squad demonstrated its ability to execute a game plan emphasizing defensive pressure and control. As they prepare for the next round, Team USA’s defensive strength and balanced offensive contributions will be critical to their quest for Olympic gold.
Thank you for visiting here….
Read More: USA Men’s National Team Prepares For Olympic Quarterfinals Against Hot Shooting Brazil
