On Sunday, the Washington Huskies managed to hold a lead down the stretch to edge the Arizona State Sun Devils, 74-69.
In the first quarter, ASU shot 52.9% from the field.
Although Washington shot 58.3% from the field, UW committed 6 turnovers in the first quarter and only made seven shots (compared to nine by the Sun Devils).
Despite a flurry of threes from Haley Van Dyke, ASU held a 22-16 lead.
.@haleyvandykee 3⃣
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???? https://t.co/iLVfRW83Um pic.twitter.com/DIHEek1W1q— Washington Women’s Basketball (@UW_WBB) February 20, 2022
Another 3 for @haleyvandykee‼️
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???? https://t.co/iLVfRW8BJU pic.twitter.com/RpOE5myJpu— Washington Women’s Basketball (@UW_WBB) February 20, 2022
Early in the second quarter, ASU had increased its lead to 28-16 with a little less than seven minutes to go.
The Huskies surged back as UW went on a 13-0 run to take a one-point lead, 29-28, with 3:05 left in the second period.
However, Arizona State responded enough to take a 33-31 lead at the half.
In the first half, Washington shot 52.6% on two-pointers and 50% from three-pointers for an overall 52% from the field.
In the third quarter, the Dawgs’ offense came alive as they scored 23 points on 60% shooting.
A clutch three-pointer by Alexis Whitfield seized the lead back from ASU, 48-47.
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???? https://t.co/iLVfRW8BJU pic.twitter.com/jy5ySdH7iA— Washington Women’s Basketball (@UW_WBB) February 20, 2022
A two-woman fastbreak by Lauren Schwartz and Trinity Oliver made the score 51-47.
that was PRETTY@lschwartz15 ➡️ @Oliver3Oliver
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???? https://t.co/iLVfRW83Um pic.twitter.com/CV6E4FERg9— Washington Women’s Basketball (@UW_WBB) February 20, 2022
And a breakaway layup by Jayda Noble to end the third quarter with the “and-1” free throw.
JAYDA NOBLE‼️
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???? https://t.co/iLVfRW83Um pic.twitter.com/iIGGpjkvxl— Washington Women’s Basketball (@UW_WBB) February 20, 2022
The Huskies took the lead to 54-47 at the end of the third period.
However, a familiar obstacle reared its ugly head, Washington endured a fourth quarter scoring drought to start the final period, which lasted 4 minutes and 30 seconds.
Fortunately, ASU only scored five points during UW’s drought to pull within two points of the Huskies, 54-52.
The Dawgs withstood multiple ASU offensive surges, mostly due to Lauren Schwartz (10 points in the 4th period) and Jayda Noble (6 points) providing the Huskies with clutch baskets — both were perfect from the field and the free throw line.
Jayda Noble’s dribble-drive down the lane for a left-handed layup, after a sweet up-and-under move, was spectacular.
those moves from Jayda Noble to get to the basket ????
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???? https://t.co/iLVfRW83Um pic.twitter.com/USAl1pPeMw— Washington Women’s Basketball (@UW_WBB) February 20, 2022
Washington managed to maintain a slim lead until 2:17 remaining, when the Sun Devils tied the score at 62 – 62.
The Huskies seized the lead again, and Schwartz put the Huskies ahead by four, 66-62, with a clutch stop-and-pop straightaway jumper from just inside the three-point line.
BIG BUCKET from @lschwartz15❕
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???? https://t.co/iLVfRW83Um pic.twitter.com/g2bCyQ5ttY— Washington Women’s Basketball (@UW_WBB) February 20, 2022
In the final period, Schwartz was perfect from the field (3 for 3) and from the free throw line (4 for 4), scoring 10 points to lead Washington to their first PAC-12 win.
With 12 seconds left in the game, UW led 72 – 69 and ASU needed a 3-pointer to tie the score but missed.
Haley Van Dyke hit two more free throws to clinch the victory, 74 – 69.
Some Significant Bench Play
UW Coach Tina Langley continued to mainly rely on five players to play approximately 30 minutes or more each.
However, Langley did manage to play seven Dawgs 10 minutes or more:
Nancy Mulkey played 34 minutes and 16 seconds;
Trinity Oliver played 32 minutes and 52 seconds;
Lauren Schwartz played 32 minutes and 22 seconds;
Missy Peterson played 29 minutes and 23 seconds;
Haley Van Dyke played 27 minutes and 30 seconds;
Jayda Noble played 22 minutes and 36 seconds; and
Alexis Whitfield played 14 minutes and 51 seconds.
Notably, Jayda Noble and Alexis Whitfield each had a significant impact on the game.
UP NEXT
The Washington Huskies (6-14, 1-11 PAC) go on the road to face California on February 24th at 7PM.
