Every member of Team USA contributed to Wednesday's 88-74 Olympic quarterfinal win over Nigeria, with roster depth highlighting the stat sheet.
With all 12 players tallying points and assists on 31 of the team's 34 made field goals, USA Basketball notched its 59th-consecutive Olympic victory.
Mid-game scoring run fuels USA dub
A slow US start kept the game tight into the second quarter, until a prolific 21-6 run saw Team USA close out the first half with a 19-point lead. They then added to their bucket bonanza with a 10-0 run to open the third quarter.
Despite leading Nigeria with 19 points and helping trim the USA’s lead to 13 in the fourth quarter, Promise Amukamara and her squad ultimately fell short of silencing Team USA's shooting prowess.
Wilson makes more US Olympic history
USA Basketball standout A’ja Wilson led the charge with her third double-double in Paris, her 20 points and 11 rebounds marking her fourth Olympic double-double — the most ever recorded by a US woman.
Also showing up big in the paint was Breanna Stewart, with 13 points, five rebounds, and three assists, while Brittney Griner added 11 points of her own.
Young capitalizes on her starting lineup shot
The player who shined the brightest was arguably three-time WNBA All-Star Jackie Young. Young replaced six-time Olympian Diana Taurasi in the lineup, mainly due to her strength and aggressive defensive ability — skills that helped her stifle top Nigeria scorer Ezinne Kalu.
In addition to her defensive contributions, Young also posted 15 points and three rebounds.
"She's playing the way we want to play both ends of the floor," head coach Cheryl Reeve said of the Aces double-threat. "And it's time to get to that space where we understand that if we don't win, we go home."
Olympic semifinal against Australia looms
Australia poses the next hurdle along Team USA’s win-or-go-home hunt for an eighth-straight Olympic gold medal.
The US last beat the Opals 79-55 in Tokyo, and the US will aim for a similarly orchestrated result in tomorrow’s Olympic semifinal.