Team USA Women's Basketball Downs Nigeria in 59th-Straight Olympic Game Win to Reach Semifinal

With their 59th-straight win in an Olympic game, Team USA women's basketball is inching closer to their 10th gold.

Led by A'ja Wilson's 20 points and Jackie Young's 15, the U.S. soundly defeated Nigeria with a final score of 88-74.

The game was closer than Team USA likely would've preferred, though, for much of the first half. Nigeria's strong defense kept the score close through the first quarter, until the U.S. pulled away just before halftime.

The U.S. — made up of WNBA superstars — extended their lead in the second half, at one point nearly doubling up Nigeria on the scoreboard. But Nigeria always kept it close.

Along with Wilson and Young, teammate Brittney Griner was strong with the ball, as was Breanna Stewart.

"Our starts have to be great because that team on the other end, they're trying to take our heads off," Wilson, 27, told reporters, including PEOPLE, after the game with a laugh. "When they want something they're greedy for it, so we knew coming in that we had to have a great start and punch first, just because, in this time, it's like March Madness, you never know what happens, and you always have to keep your guard up. So I'm glad we got into the flow of things."

Veteran Diana Taurasi, playing in her sixth Olympic Games, told reporters that despite Team USA's extensive winning streak, they aren't taking any game for granted.

"We've won — I don't know how many gold medals in a row — it's not going to win this tournament. We have to come out and play hard," Taurasi, 42, said. "Nigeria, Australia in two days. These teams are hard, they've played together for a long time. We've been together for two and a half weeks and we're trying to figure it out. And it's always been our strength to be unselfish. Next man up, next woman up, to win a gold medal."

Team USA athletes were out in force to support the basketball team. Katie Ledecky, who recently finished off her Paris Games with two golds, a silver and a bronze, sat courtside with former NBA star Dirk Nowitzki and Michael Phelps, his wife Nicole Johnson and their 7-month-old son Nico, plus former swimmer Allison Schmidtt, who is living with the Phelps.

LeBron James also walked in the arena hand-in-hand with his wife Savannah James, and sat with fellow NBA and Team USA men's basketball star Bam Adebayo. LeBron sported a bandage over his left eye, after he was elbowed in the face the night before during the men's team's win against Brazil and needed stitches. His former Miami Heat teammate Dwyane Wade was also in attendance, alongside his wife, actress Gabrielle Union.

The Team USA women's basketball team will next play Australia in their semifinal game on Aug. 9.

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