In an unexpectedly close game throughout, the Washington Huskies (9-0) held on to win, 55-50, over the Montana State Bobcats (3-5).
It may be up for debate whether the Huskies played down to their competition or the Bobcats played up to theirs– either way, it was not a feel-good victory for the Dawgs.
Washington shot 57.1% from the field overall, including 55.6% from two-point range, but were ice cold from beyond the arc — shooting 23.5% (4 for 17) from three-point range.
DEEP DIVE – Washington Huskies Detailed Shooting Chart
The Bobcats shot a mere 7.7% from beyond the arc (1 for 13); which could be considered a win for the Huskies defense.
However, somehow, the smaller Bobcats managed to make 47.5% of their two-point attempts — mostly in and around the lane.
DEEP DIVE – Montana State Detailed Shooting Chart
Equally baffling, UW out-rebounded their smaller Montana State opponents (as expected), 38-22.
However, points-in-the-paint were not an advantage for the Huskies, as both teams scored 28 points inside.
Washington also committed more turnovers than the Bobcats (a huge red flag), 23-14.
Finally, the Huskies dished out only 9 assists for the game, their lowest total of the season — down from their 15.1 assists average before the game.
1st Quarter
The Huskies started off sluggish on offense.
UW made only 14.3% of their shots from three-point range (1 for 7); and were only 4 for 10 shooting overall (40%).
The Huskies did score 3 points off of 4 turnovers by the Bobcats.
Lauren Schwartz led the Huskies with 5 points in the quarter; Hannah Stines, Dalayah Daniels, and Elle Ladine added two points each.
Washington led 11-10 at the end of the first quarter.
2nd Quarter
The Huskies outscored the Bobcats 19-15 in what would be their highest scoring quarter of the game.
UW’s offense heated up a little as the Dawgs shot 83.3% from two-point range (5 for 6) and 33.3% from three-point range(1-3).
Lauren Schwartz led the Huskies with 8 points and Dalayah Daniels scored 6 points in the quarter.
At halftime, the Dawgs had only a 5-point lead, 30-25.
3rd Quarter
In the third period, the Huskies were outscored by Montana State, 15-12.
The Huskies shot 62.5% (5 for 8) from the two-point range, but shot blanks from three-point range (0 for 3) in the third quarter.
Dalayah Daniels had a team-leading 6 points for the Huskies in the third period; and Stines contributed 4 points
Washington held a slim 2-point lead, 42-40, heading into the fourth quarter.
4th Quarter
In the low-scoring fourth quarter, the Washington Huskies barely outscored Montana State, 13-10.
The Huskies shot 33.3% (2 for 6) from three-point range, and were 2 for 4 (50%) from two point range
The Dawgs held on to secure the victory, 55-50.
Elle Ladine had a team-leading 8 points in the final period; and Sayvia Sellers added 3 points.
UW Player of the Game: Pick-Em Dalayah Daniels had an efficient all-around game with 15 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 assists, and 1 steal in 33 minutes — including 12 points-in-the-paint and 75% shooting from two-point range.
DEEP DIVE – Dalayah Daniels Detailed Shooting Chart
Lauren Schwartz 13 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and one steal in 38 minutes. (She also faded late with zero (0) points in the fourth quarter.)
Last but certainly not least, Elle Ladine‘s 8 points in the final period led the Huskies to victory, as she shot 60% (3 for 5) from the field overall (8 for 13) and 50% from three-point range — athough she struggled the first three quarters.
Next Up: UW WBB Huskies at #21 Washington State
The Washington Huskies (9-0) travel to Pullman to face the #21-ranked Washington State Cougars on Sunday, December 10th at 1PM Pacific.
