UW WBB Huskies Defeated, 69-64, After Pushing #6 USC to the Limit

The Washington Huskies (14-12 overall, 5-9 B1G) were defeated, 64-69, by the USC Trojans (23-2 overall, 13-1 B1G) at Hec Ed on Sunday afternoon.

From the beginning, Washington benefited from a low-scoring contest due to poor shooting by both teams, which kept the game close and even gave the Huskies the upper hand for three quarters.

However, despite a heroic 17-point fourth quarter effort by UW super sophomore guard Sayvia Sellers, Washington could not slow USC’s late comeback effort.

The Huskies were outscored, 21-30, by USC in the final period and were handed another heart-wrenching defeat.

The Huskies defense kept USC’s mega-star player, JuJu Watkins, under control most of the game (she finished with 17 points)– often employing a double team by Hannah Stines and Elle Ladine.

Thus, the Huskies defense shifted the USC’s primary scoring responsibility to complementary Trojans players, whom (for most of the game) did not seem ready for the obligation

The Trojans shot only 39.1% from the field overall; and 41.5% on two-point attempts. Yet, thanks to their fourth quarter offensive surge, USC shot 34.8% from three-point range overall; and a dominant 80% in-the-paint.

Meanwhile, the Huskies offense was mostly mediocre the entire game (except for Sayvia Sellers — Washington shot a very poor 39.3% from the field overall; and 36.8% on two-point attempts.

However, the Dawgs stayed in the game with a scorching 44.4% efficiency from three-point range (8 for 18).

The Huskies committed 15 turnovers in the game versus only nine by the USC Trojans; and USC scored 11 points off Washington’s turnovers.

UW WBB Huskies Player of the Game – Sayvia Sellers

Sellers scored 24 points on 47.6% (10 for 21) shooting overall; and 57.1% efficiency from three-point range (4 for 7), including 17 points in the fourth quarter.

In addition, Sellers added three rebounds, two assists and one block.

1st Quarter

In the first period, Washington’s offense started slow by shooting 38.5% (5 for 13) shooting overall; as well as 33% from three-point range (1 for 3).

Meanwhile, the USC Trojans offense started even slower — shooting 31.6% overall ( for 19) and 16.7% (1 for 6) from three-point range.

The Huskies were led by Dalayah Daniels with six points; Sayvia Sellers with five points; and Elle Ladine added four points.

The Huskies held a one-point lead over USC at the end of the first period, 15-14.

2nd Quarter

Washington’s offense was slumped further in the second period — shooting 18.2% (2 for 11) from the field overall; and 0% from three-point range (on 0 for 3 shooting).

The Trojans offense also continued to struggle against the Huskies defense, as they shot 20% shooting overall (2 for 10); and 25% shooting from three-point range (1 for 4).

The Huskies were led by Elle Ladine, Sayvia Sellers, Hanna Stines, and Chloe Briggs whom each scored two points.

After a half of nearly identical offensive struggles, Washington had shot 29% from the field overall and USC had shot 28% overall.

As a result, the Huskies were tied with USC at halftime, 23-23.

3rd Quarter

The Huskies offense surged in the third period, shooting 43.8% (7 for 16) overall; and 80% from three-point range (4 for 5).

Washington was led in scoring by Hannah Stines with eight points; Elle Ladine contributed five points; Chloe Briggs scored three points; and Dalayah Daniels and Tayra Eke scored two points each.

Meanwhile, USC shot a lowly 31.6% (6 for 19) overall; but managed 33% from three-point range (2 for 6).

Washington surged with a 10-0 run to seize a 40-29 lead over USC.

The Huskies ended the third period leading by four points over the Trojans, 43-39.

4th Quarter

USC outscored the Huskies 30-21 in the fourth.

The Trojans offense surged and pulled within two points of the Huskies with 5:30 to go, 51-49

USC then seized its first lead over Washington since the first quarter, 55-53, with a little more than four minutes left.

UW briefly traded buckets behind the hot shooting of Sayvia Sellers — 70% overall in the fourth quarter, including three three-pointers and a layup in the last 3 and 1/2 minutes.

However, when USC seized a 5-point lead, 61-56, with 2:25 minutes left, the Huskies were in scramble mode to keep up, but fell short.

In the final period, the Huskies shot 50% from the field overall; and 42.9% from three-point range.

Meanwhile, USC shot a blistering 68.8% overall (11 for 16); and 57.1% (4 for 7) from three-point range.

In the fourth period, Washington was led by Sayvia Sellers with 17 points; with Chloe Briggs and Dalayah Daniels scoring two points each.

The Huskies were defeated by the Trojans, 64-69.

NEXT UP: UW WBB Huskies vs Rutgers, Thurs. Feb. 20th @ 6PM

GO DAWGS!