Recap: Some Huskies Elevate; But Washington Loses Late to Ducks 61-68

On Friday night, the Washington Huskies were hosting a red-hot University of Oregon team coming off two straight victories over 2021 Final Four participants, Arizona and Connecticut.

The Washington Huskies came out determined and focused against the Oregon Ducks, but they faded late as the Ducks took the victory 68-61.

At the end of the first quarter, the Washington Huskies trailed Oregon by only four points 19-15.

The Dawgs then played the Ducks even in the second and third quarter, as both teams scored 15 and 17 points, respectively.

The score at the start of the fourth quarter was 51-47, as the Huskies were still down by four points.

With 5:05 minutes to go in the game, the Huskies pulled within one point (57-56) on a made three-pointer by the red-hot Lauren Schwartz

However, the Huskies went scoreless for the next three minutes, until Schwartz got fouled and hit a free throw with 2:00 minutes to go in the fourth.

The Ducks’ lead then ballooned to 10 points over the Dawgs (67-57), as the Huskies did not score again until Trinity Oliver’s free throw with 00:13 seconds left to make the score 67-58.

Thus, for all intents and purposes the game was decided with five minutes to go in the fourth, as the Huskies ran out of gas late.

In the final period, Washington had seven turnovers and shot only 36.3% (4 for 11) from the field.

Once again, Washington played a limited roster with only eight players playing five minutes or more.

By contrast, the Oregon Ducks played 10 players for five minutes or more against the Huskies

Standout Dawgs of the Game

Three Huskies players stood out head-and-shoulders above the rest.

Missy Peterson

In 35 minutes and 42 seconds of play, Missy shot 40.0% from the field overall, 60.0% on 2 pointers; was a perfect six of six from the free throw line; pulled down a team-leading six rebounds (tied with Trinity Oliver); dished three assists; had one steal and only one turnover.

Missy displayed 5th-year senior leadership with tremendous intensity and relentless all-around play.

Lauren Schwartz

In 34 minutes and 48 seconds of play, Lauren shot a blistering 63.6% from the field overall; 50.0% on two-pointers; was a perfect three for three from three-point range; pulled down 5 rebounds; and had a team-leading 4 assists (with 3 turnovers).

Lauren had her best game in a Husky uniform.

And it looked like the game has slowed down for Schwartz, because she displayed a new level of patience and timing under defensive pressure from the Ducks.

On one play of note, Lauren drove to the basket and did a change-of-pace euro-step to evade three defenders — although she didn’t make the shot, it was an elite level move.

Nancy Mulkey

In 35 minutes and 36 minutes of play, Nancy shot an insane 85.7% from the field overall; a perfect six of six from two-point range; pulled down five boards; dished 3 assists; had one steal and a team-leading three blocks (her highest total in PAC-12 play).

Mulkey continued to level up her game offensively, demonstrating a soft touch and crafty moves during an intense battle against Ducks defender Sedona Prince.

Nancy also contested, and disrupted, a lot of Oregon jumpshots (much moreso than the three blocks she recorded).

She played at an All-PAC-12 level — an all new stratosphere for her.

UP NEXT

The Huskies continue the hunt for their first PAC-12 win on Sunday,, January 23rd as they host the Oregon State Beavers at 12 noon.

GO DAWGS!