U.S. women on to Olympics quarterfinals with big win over Germany
Jackie Young scored 19 points off the bench to lead Team USA to an 87-68 win over Germany in the final game of women’s basketball group play in the Summer Olympics on Sunday in Villeneuve d’Ascq, France.
The Americans, advancing to the quarterfinals of the Olympic tournament after going 3-0 in Group C, won their 58th straight game in Olympic competition. The U.S. will meet Nigeria in the quarterfinals Wednesday after Nigeria defeated Canada 79-70 Sunday to advance.
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Young shot 7-of-13 from the floor and also swished five 3-pointers to go with four rebounds, two assists and four steals. A’ja Wilson added 14 points and three steals, Breanna Stewart scored 13 points, and Sabrina Ionescu, Alyssa Thomas and Kelsey Plum each had five assists off the bench.
Germany (2-1) will also advance to the quarterfinals despite its defeat. The Germans were led by 15 points and five rebounds from Dallas Wings forward Satou Sabally, 14 points from Alexis Peterson and 10 points from Leonie Fiebich.
The Germans jumped out to an early 15-6 lead, powered by Fiebich scoring eight points and dishing out an assist in the opening five minutes of the game.
Trailing by three points entering the second period, the Americans responded on both ends of the floor, holding Sabally and Fiebich scoreless as the U.S. went on a 25-10 run. Three of the Las Vegas Aces players on the team — Wilson, Young and Plum — showed off their chemistry in that period, combining for 11 points and five assists as the U.S. took a 12-point advantage into halftime.
The Americans boosted their lead to 23 points after Young hit a 3-pointer on an assist from Plum to end the third quarter. The U.S. tallied 25 assists on the day to Germany’s 14, and also outrebounded the Germans 42-32.
In Group B, the Nigerians’ victory over Canada earned them one the two quarterfinal berths reserved for the best third-place teams in group play. It was 41-37 Canada at halftime before Nigeria outscored them 23-5 in the third quarter. Ezinne Kalu led Nigeria with 21 points.
Australia defeated France 79-72, putting both teams 2-1 (along with Nigeria) in Group B, but France won the group based on point differential.
The other third-place team going through will be Belgium, who routed Japan 85-58 for their only win of Group C play. Emma Meesseman racked up 30 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and four blocks for Belgium.
In the quarterfinals, Belgium will face Spain, the only team besides the U.S. to go 3-0 in group play. Spain secured first place in Group A with a win Saturday.
