Young scored five points in the first minutes of the game before tripping over a Nigerian player’s foot while attempting a jump shot. When Taurasi came in late in the first, the score was 24-12 after she made her first basket, a 3-pointer from the top of the key.
Before Wilson, Young, and Kelsey Plum took over, Nigeria managed to hang around and only lost 31–27. The first 15 points were scored by the Las Vegas Aces trio, which included eight points from Wilson, in a 21-6 run to end the half, giving the Americans a 52-33 lead at the break.
In the third quarter, the United States maintained their momentum, scoring the first 10 points to eliminate any chance of a comeback from the Nigerians.
Promise Amukamara led Nigeria with 19 points. Amy Okonkwo 17, and Ezinne Kalu 16.
The men’s team players LeBron James, Bam Adebayo, and Devin Booker, as well as American swimming legends Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky, attended the match, which was the U.S. team’s first game in Paris. Also present were rowers from the United States.
Nigeria and the United States are well-known.
When they faced off in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics opening game, the Americans prevailed nine points to one, making it one of only two games decided by a single digit during their incredible run. In February, they participated in another Olympic qualification event, which the United States won 100-46.