The United States moved closer to an unprecedented eighth straight women’s basketball Olympic title on Wednesday, ending Nigeria’s historic run with an 88-74 quarterfinal victory.
Two-time WNBA Most Valuable Player A’Ja Wilson scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to pace an American team that could break a tie with the U.S. men’s basketball team for the most consecutive Olympic gold medals — dating from 1936-68.
Jackie Young added 15 points and Breanna Stewart – another two-time WNBA MVP – scored 13 points.
France beat Olympic newcomers Germany 84-71 to set up a semi-final against European champions Belgium, who beat unbeaten Spain 79-66.
France, led by 24 points from Marine Johannes, delighted the fans, but the big draw at Bercy Arena was the United States.
NBA superstar LeBron James and USA teammate Bam Adebayo were on court for the clash between the American dynasty and the first team from Africa, male or female, to reach the round of 16 in Olympic basketball.
James and Adebayo, who were enjoying an evening off before Thursday’s match against Serbia in the men’s semifinals, sat alongside American swimming greats Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky.
Nigeria, who have made physical play their trademark, looked anything but intimidated by the mighty Americans as they traded buckets in the opening minutes.
Diana Taurasi, who was trying to become the first Olympic basketball player to win six gold medals, jumped off the bench and made a 3-pointer to give the USA a 24-12 lead late in the first quarter.
A steal and layup by Promise Amukamara cut the deficit to single digits, but every time Nigeria looked to be moving forward, the Americans responded with a run.
They closed the first half with a score of 14:4. Breanna Stewart drained a 3-pointer and then got loose in the final minute to push the USA lead to 52-33.
The USA opened the third quarter on a 10-0 run to push the lead to 76-46 before Amukamara came up with a steal and raced the length of the court to end the quarter.
In the end, the United States had too much firepower, but the red-hot Nigerians, led by 19 points from Amukamara and 16 from Ezinno Kalu, left to a hearty ovation from the fans.
Next up for the United States is Australia with a convincing win over Serbia as Alanna Smith had 22 points and 13 rebounds.
Australia made 58 percent of their shots in the first half, outscored Serbia 22-11 in the second quarter and took control for good.
“In tournaments like this, once you start, you’re done, and we wanted to come out with the first strike,” Smith said.
Belgium, who reached the semi-finals for the first time, face a tough clash with Tokyo bronze medalists France.
France took control with a 17-5 run to open the second quarter and led by as many as 19 in the fourth.
Nyara Sabally, sidelined with a head injury in Germany’s opener, returned to score 20 points.
But in the face of France’s fierce defense, the German team, which led the group in three-point shooting, connected on just four of 14 attempts from beyond the arc. The fans at the Bercy Arena were already celebrating as the final seconds ticked away when a man tried to charge onto the court. He was quickly tackled by security and pushed away.
