While her Las Vegas Aces teammate A’ja Wilson stole the show in the first two games in the Paris 2024 Olympics, Jackie Young made the most of her opportunity off the bench as she scored 19 points for Team USA to defeat Germany 87-68 on Sunday.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Wilson had 14 points and Breanna Stewart netted 13 for the United States who went a perfect 3-0 in Group C action, punching its ticket to the quarterfinals. Napheesa Collier finished with eight points and seven rebounds in the win.
Germany (2-1) was led by Satou Sabally in scoring with 19 points, Alexis Peterson with 14 and Leonie Fiebich getting 10. The team shot 26-for-61 (42.6%) from the field and 10-for-26 (38.5%) from three.
Germany pressure early, Young powers USA to victory
In a matchup of two teams who were undefeated coming in, Germany controlled the flow and tempo in the first quarter as they led by as much as nine, 15-6. Flushing two 3-pointers and a layup, Fiebich was a problem early with eight of her 10 points in the opening 4:40 of the game.
After adjusting their defense, the Americans clawed back to only trailing 19-16 before the quarter finished. The New York Liberty duo of Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu combined for 10 points in the frame.
Needing a spark, Young checked into the game in the second quarter and was a game-changer from there on out. She provided a strong defensive presence for the U.S. and elite shooting from behind the arch, firing at a 5-for-8 (62.5%) from deep overall.
*Jackie Young doing Jackie Young things*
Us: ???????????????? pic.twitter.com/30KCXpur8y
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) August 4, 2024
The United States held Germany to just 10 points while breaking out of an early slump on the offensive side of the ball. Team USA outscored the Germans 25-10 and were up 41-29 at halftime.
Phoenix Mercury legend Diana Taurasi and Aces guard Chelsea Gray both started and were held scoreless for the second consecutive game.
Enlarging their advantage to double digits, the U.S. did not let the foot off the gas and went full throttle in the third quarter. Utilizing their playmaking to rev up their offensive firepower, the Americans ran away with a 24-10 run which gave them a 69-46 lead. Kelsey Plum scored all of her six points during that span.
After not playing a second vs. Belgium on Thursday, Kahleah Copper subbed in and made an instant impact next to Young. Copper notched nine points from 3-for-4 (75%) shooting from three.
Germany pushed back in the fourth, but the damage was already done and the gap between the two teams proved to be uncatchable.
Team USA was 35-for-72 (48.6%) from the field and 9-for-21 (42.9%) from three. The Americans outrebounded Germany 42-32 and collected 12 steals off of 23 turnovers by the Germans.
With this victory, the United States won Group C and will relatively get an easy opponent – on paper – in the knockout stages. Germany finished second in the group with a 2-1 record.
MOOD.
moving on to the knockout rounds undefeated???????? pic.twitter.com/SXyRponb8O
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) August 4, 2024
The quarterfinal matchups will be announced soon since the next round of the tournament begins on Wednesday.
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Reporter Alec Cipollini covers ASU Athletics, the Phoenix Mercury and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini
