It wasn’t a 54-point win, but it was more than good enough.
The U.S. women’s basketball team cruised past Nigeria, 88-74 in the Olympic quarterfinal round on Wednesday. With the win, USA advances to face Australia in the semifinal round on Friday.
USA previously beat Nigeria, 100-46 in qualifying. Nigeria kept Wednesday’s game considerably closer and trailed USA 31-27 early in the second quarter. But USA closed the half on a 21-6 run and never looked back.
The win is USA’s 59th straight in Olympic play, a streak that dates back to the 1996 Games in Atlanta. It’s now two wins away from its eighth consecutive gold medal. The winner of Friday’s semifinal against Australia will face the winner of France-Belgium in the other semifinal.
A’ja Wilson led the U.S. effort with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Jackie Young moved from the bench to the starting lineup and posted 15 points and three rebounds. Breanna Stewart added 13 points, five rebounds and three assists.
USA held a 54-41 edge in field-goal percentage, a 44-28 advantage on the boards and assisted on 31 of its 34 made field goals.
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A’ja Wilson led the U.S. effort with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Jackie Young moved from the bench to the starting lineup and posted 15 points and three rebounds. Breanna Stewart added 13 points, five rebounds and three assists.
USA held a 54-41 edge in field-goal percentage, a 44-28 advantage on the boards and assisted on 31 of its 34 made field goals.
That’s it. USA secures an 88-74 win over Nigeria and will face Australia in Friday’s semifinal round.
A’ja Wilson has a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds, and her day is likely done. USA leads 86-64 with 2:49 remaining.
USA’s keeping the gas on with its starters in fourth quarter. Back-to-back A’ja Wilson buckets have USA leading, 84-57.
Nigeria found its offense after going scoreless for the first 4-plus minutes of the second half. No matter. USA’s cruising and holds a 76-48 lead through three quarters. USA’s 10 minutes away from securing a semifinal matchup against Australia.
Nigeria with a rough start to the second half. Took 4:24 to find its first points of the third quarter. USA’s lead is now 62-36.
USA strikes first in the third quarter on a Napheesa Collier layup from Breanna Stewart. Jackie Young then hits a jumper on USA’s second possession. USA lead is now 56-33 early in the third.
A look at Las Vegas Aces teammates Kelsey Plum and A’ja Wilson working together for a USA bucket:
USA has a 59% to 40% edge in field-goal shooting and 19-13 edge on the boards. USA’s forced 11 Nigeria turnovers that have led to 13 points on the other end.
A’ja Wilson went scoreless in the first quarter after scoring the game’s opening bucket. She helped lead the second-quarter surge and has 10 points, six rebounds and two assists at halftime.
Breanna Stewart leads the way with 13 points including a 3 from the wing in the closing moments of the half. She’s shooting 5 of 7 from the floor and 2 of 3 from 3.
This won’t be a repeat of USA’s 56-point win over Nigeria in qualifying. But USA is in full control at halftime. USA leads 52-33 at the break thanks to a big run to close the second quarter. Nigeria was within 31-27 before USA closed the half on a 21-6 run.
A’ja Wilson’s heating up. She has eight second-quarter points, and USA leads 47-31 late in the second quarter. This was a 31-27 lead not long ago.
The U.S. bench is getting the job done so far. USA has an 18-2 edge in bench points. USA leads, 40-29.
A’ja Wilson with back-to-back buckets for her first points since the first basket of the game. Extends the USA lead to 35-27.
USA’s hitting 71% of its 2-point attempts but allowing Nigeria to hit at a 53% clip inside the arc. Nigeria keeping it close as we approach the midway point of the second quarter. USA leads, 31-27.
Nigeria starts the second quarter on a 4-1 run, cuts the USA lead to 27-21.
One quarter is in the books. So far, this isn’t the runaway of the 100-46 USA win over Nigeria in qualifying. USA leads, 26-17.
Diana Taurasi is in off the bench. She quickly hit a transition three to cap an 8-0 USA run and extend the lead to 24-12.
Lebron James, Bam Adebayo and Devin Booker are on the sideline watching USA vs. Nigeria. The U.S. men have a semifinal against Nikola Jokić and Serbia on Thursday.
