USA Women Advance to Semifinals After Besting Nigeria

07 August 2024

USA 88, Nigeria 74

View the USA-Nigeria box score here.

The U.S. met Nigeria for the second time ever at the Olympic Games and took the 88-74 win. The teams’ first meeting came in 2021, when the USA beat the Nigerians 82-71 in pool play. The USA will prepare for a semifinal fixture against Australia, set for Friday, Aug. 9 at Bercy Arena in Paris.

The U.S. extended their record Olympic win streak to 59 games since 1996.

Starting Out: Head coach Cheryl Reeve elected to start Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, Napheesa Collier, Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson. Tonight was Young’s first start at the Olympic Games. The starters as a group combined for 55 points.

The Runaround: The U.S. kept a firm grip on the lead from the get-go. Tonight was the team’s second wire-to-wire victory and first since its opening game against Japan.

The Americans, who only held a four-point lead (31-27) with just under six minutes to play in the first half, jumped on the backs of Wilson, Young and Stewart to end the half with a 21-6 run. The trio combined for 18 of the team’s last 21 points, heading into the locker room with a 19-point lead, 52-33. The team held a double-digit lead throughout the final stanza.

Pass The Rock: The USA finished with 31 assists on 34 field goals. Tonight was their second game with 30+ assists, as the team dished out 35 helpers against Japan in the opening group play game. The USA are the only nation to have multiple games with more than 30 assists in a single tournament (also multiple such games in 2016).

Tonight is the team’s 10th time ever recording 30+ assists. No other team has more than three such games in the history of the competition.

Owning the Inside: A strong inside presence helped the Americans secure the victory. The team finished with 44 points in the paint as opposed to Nigeria’s 28. The red, white and blue have been consistent in their pressure down low on the offensive end, finishing with 40+ points in the paint in each of their four games.

Double Up: Wilson finished with 20 points (9-11 FG), 10 (5-6 FG) of which she scored in the first two quarters, 11 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks in 25:17. Tonight was her third double-double of the event. She is the first American since Candace Parker (2012) to have as many double-doubles in an Olympic tournament.

GOAT Status: Diana Taurasi recorded three points and four assists in 14:33. With her four assists in tonight’s game, Taurasi reached 103 career assists to become the fifth player to dish out 100+ helpers at the Olympics. She is the only player to have 300+ points and 100+ assists in the competition.

Stew-pendous: Stewart racked up 13 points (5-7 FG, 2-3 3FG) in the first half. She finished with as many points, as well as five rebounds, three assists, one steal and a team-best two blocks in 19:00. She has scored in double figures in her last nine Olympic games.

Young, Wild And Free: Young followed up her game-best 19 points against Germany with another scoring show. She logged 15 points (6-10 FG) to go along with 3 rebounds and 2 assists in 18:13. She is shooting 56.5% (13-23 FG) from the field over her last two games.