The Washington Huskies (8-1) beat the Washington State (7-2) Cougars, 82-66, in a PAC-12 conference season opener that marked the return of starter Jayda Noble from injury; as well as, the return of Lauren Schwartz’s shooting form from an early non-conference slump.
The contest even featured a usually serene Dalayah Daniels receiving an uncharacteristic technical foul for an emotional outburst, after she blocked WSU center Bella Murekatete — this was definitely a rivalry game.
Game Summary
The game started at a furious pace from tip-off, as the teams traded the lead back and forth until the Washington Huskies went on a 7-0 run to finish the first period with a six-point lead, 18-12.
The second period saw the Dawgs build their lead to as much as 13 points before the Cougars responded cutting UW’s lead to eight points, 43-35 at the half.
The third period started with a surge by WSU to cut Washington’s lead to six points, 45-39.
However, the Dawgs responded with a run to push the lead back into double digits, ending the third period with a fourteen point lead, 62-48.
A three-pointer by freshman guard Elle Ladine, to start the fourth quarter, gave the Dawgs a 17-point lead.
A furious scoring effort by WSU’s Charlisse Leger-Walker cut the lead to nine points with 4:07 minutes to go in the game.
But the Huskies responded defensively and offensively down the final stretch, pushing the lead back into double figures — and a 16-point victory 82 -66.
Huskies Scoring
Offensively, the Washington Huskies dominated inside with 38 points in the paint.
Washington also dominated by turning defense to offense, i.e., by scoring 26 points off of forced turnovers — WSU had 16 turnovers versus 17 turnovers by UW.
Overall, the Huskies shot 49.6% from two-point range and only 24.3% from three-point range.
However, the Dawgs’ balanced scoring overwhelmed the WSU Cougars, who mostly relied on the 40 points scored by Charlisse Leger-Walker to stay competitive in the game.
Five Huskies players finished in double figures:
Jayda Noble
From the start, the Washington Huskies were energized by sophomore guard Jayda Noble’s presence on the court.
Noble set the tone of the game with her signature aggressiveness on defense, converting an on-ball steal into a layup to score the Dawgs first basket of the contest.
STEAL ✔️
SCORE ✔️📺 @Pac12Network
📲 https://t.co/96M0tAu3tV pic.twitter.com/8vSUUMvHFF— Washington Women’s Basketball (@UW_WBB) December 11, 2022
Noble scored 14 points with seven rebounds, three assists and two steals in 26 minutes.
In addition, Jadya Noble’s confident leadership, ball-handling and aggressive opportunistic offense were all a welcome sight for the Huskies fans.
That's a THREE for number 3⃣!
📺 @Pac12Network
📲 https://t.co/96M0tAbUfN pic.twitter.com/RZyBZcMQQb— Washington Women’s Basketball (@UW_WBB) December 11, 2022
Lauren Schwartz
Lauren Schwartz scored 21 points on 53.8% shooting overall — 83.3% shooting from three-point range (5 for 6) and 28.6% on two-pointers in 34 minutes.
.@lschwartz15 is 3-3 from 3 🔥
📺 @Pac12Network
📲 https://t.co/96M0tAu3tV pic.twitter.com/J2ue44cm5K— Washington Women’s Basketball (@UW_WBB) December 11, 2022
In the final minutes, Lauren Schwartz hit a late fourth quarter dagger from three-point range that sealed an insurmountable lead and blowout victory for the Dawgs.
Wait for it…wait for it…BUCKET 🪣
What a night for Lauren who finishes with 21 PTS on 5/6 from beyond the arc 🎯#GoHuskies x #Becoming pic.twitter.com/1G15cIAoR9
— Washington Women’s Basketball (@UW_WBB) December 12, 2022
Dalayah Daniels
Dalayah Daniels recorded a double-double with 14 points on 54.5% shooting (all from two-point range) and 10 rebounds with two assists, two blocks and one steal in 30 minutes.
Daniels shot 50% at the rim within 4.5 feet (3 for 6) and 100% in the lane (2 for 2) and 50% on midrange shots outside the lane (1 for 2).
Trinity Oliver
Trinity Oliver tallied 14 points (83.3% overall; 100% on two-pointers and 50% from three-point range) with five rebounds, two assists and two steals in 34 minutes.
All-out EFFORT from these Dawgs!@Oliver3Oliver 💪#GoHuskies x #Becoming pic.twitter.com/elbA7O6Y8B
— Washington Women’s Basketball (@UW_WBB) December 11, 2022
Haley Van Dyke
Haley Van Dyke scored 10 points (55.6% shooting overall; 71.4% from two-point range and 0% on three-pointers) with six rebounds, three steals and one assist in 32 minutes.
Chart courtesy of CBBAnalytics.
we see you @haleyvandykee 👀
📺 @Pac12Network
📲 https://t.co/96M0tAbUfN pic.twitter.com/nLqhb3tj7b— Washington Women’s Basketball (@UW_WBB) December 11, 2022
The Washington Huskies resume their non-conference schedule on Sunday, December 18th at 12 noon, when they host Liberty College at Hec Ed.
GO DAWGS!