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Paris Olympics: US claims 59th straight Olympic victory over Nigeria, plays Australia in women’s basketball semifinal

Paris Olympics: US claims 59th straight Olympic victory over Nigeria, plays Australia in women’s basketball semifinal

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It wasn’t a 54-point victory, but it was more than enough.

The U.S. women’s basketball team defeated Nigeria 88-74 in the quarterfinals of the Olympic Games on Wednesday. With the victory, the U.S. advances to the semifinals against Australia on Friday.

USA previously defeated Nigeria 100-46 in qualifying. Nigeria kept Wednesday’s game considerably more exciting, trailing USA 31-27 early in the second quarter. But USA closed the half on a 21-6 run and never looked back.

The victory is the 59th consecutive U.S. Olympic win, a streak that dates back to the 1996 Games in Atlanta. It is now two wins shy of an 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 American effort with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Jackie Young moved off the bench into the starting lineup and posted 15 points and three rebounds. Breanna Stewart added 13 points, five rebounds and three assists.

The US held a 54-41 advantage in field-goal percentage, a 44-28 advantage in rebounds and assisted on 31 of 34 made field goals.

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  • A’ja Wilson led the American effort with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Jackie Young moved off the bench into the starting lineup and posted 15 points and three rebounds. Breanna Stewart added 13 points, five rebounds and three assists.

    The US held a 54-41 advantage in field-goal percentage, a 44-28 advantage in rebounds and assisted on 31 of 34 made field goals.

  • That’s it. The US beat Nigeria 88-74 and will face Australia in the semifinals on Friday.

  • A’ja Wilson has a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds, and her day is likely over. USA leads 86-64 with 2:49 left.

  • USA keeps the gas going with its starters in the fourth quarter. Back-to-back A’ja Wilson buckets have USA ahead, 84-57.

  • Nigeria found its offense after not scoring for the first 4 minutes of the second half. No matter. The US is cruising and has a 76-48 lead through three quarters. The US is 10 minutes away from securing a semifinal against Australia.

  • Nigeria with a difficult start of the second half. It took 4:24 to find the first points of the third quarter. The lead of the USA is now 62-36.

  • USA strikes first in the third quarter on a layup by Napheesa Collier from Breanna Stewart. Jackie Young then hits a jumper on USA’s second possession. USA now leads 56-33 early in the third quarter.

  • A look at Las Vegas Aces teammates Kelsey Plum and A’ja Wilson teaming up for a USA bucket:

  • USA has a 59% to 40% advantage in field-goal shooting and 19-13 advantage on the boards. USA forced 11 turnovers against Nigeria that led to 13 points on the other end.

  • A’ja Wilson didn’t score in the first quarter after scoring the game’s opening bucket. She helped lead the second-quarter surge and had 10 points, six rebounds and two assists by halftime.

  • Breanna Stewart led the way with 13 points, including a 3 from the wing in the closing moments of the half. She shot 5 of 7 from the floor and 2 of 3 from 3.

  • This won’t be a repeat of the U.S.’s 54-point win over Nigeria in qualifying. But the U.S. is in complete control at halftime. The U.S. leads 52-33 at halftime thanks to a big run to close the second quarter. Nigeria pulled within 31-27 before the U.S. closed the half on a 21-6 run.

  • A’ja Wilson warms up. She has eight points in the second quarter and USA leads 47-31 at the end of the second quarter. Not long ago, it was a 31-27 lead.

  • The US bank is doing well so far. The US has an 18-2 advantage in bank points. The US leads 40-29.

  • A’ja Wilson with back-to-back buckets for her first points since the game’s first basket, extending the U.S. lead to 35-27.

  • USA is making 71% of its 2-point attempts, but Nigeria is making 53% of its shots inside the arc. Nigeria is keeping it close as we approach the middle of the second quarter. USA leads 31-27.

  • Nigeria starts the second quarter with a 4-1 run, cutting the US lead to 27-21.

  • A quarter is in the books. So far, this is not the runaway from the 100-46 USA win over Nigeria in qualifying. USA leads, 26-17.

  • Diana Taurasi came in off the bench and hit a quick transition three to cap an 8-0 USA run and extend the lead to 24-12.

  • Lebron James, Bam Adebayo and Devin Booker stand on the sidelines to watch the match between the U.S. and Nigeria. The U.S. men will play Nikola Jokić and Serbia in a semifinal on Thursday.

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