B1G Game Preview: UW WBB Huskies Host Penn State – Wednesday, January 21st @ 6PM

On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, the Washington Huskies (14-4) welcome the Penn State Nittany Lions (7-12) to Seattle in a non‑conference showdown at 6pm PST.

Washington Preview: Defensive Identity, Offensive Balance

Washington’s calling card this season is defense first, everything else second.

The Huskies smother opponents with disciplined rotations and relentless on‑ball pressure, allowing just about 57.9 points per game.

As a result, opposing offenses shoot a modest 38.3% from the field against the Huskies– which explains why UW’s average scoring margin remains so healthy, even when the offense has an off night.

Furthermore, the Washington Huskies blend active perimeter defense with rim protection (at 4.7 blocks per game); add-in a healthy 40.2 total rebounds per game and UW not only contests shots but also dictates game tempo.

The Washington Huskies offense currently averages 73.8 points per game; meanwhile, UW’s opponents average 57.9 points per game with a shooting average of 38.2%.

Washington scores at an elite rate at the rim, finishing 62.2% of its attempts within 4.5 feet.

Meanwhile, Washington’s 37% shooting from three-point range, mirroring last season’s mark, stretches defenses horizontally.

At the heart of it all stands Sayvia Sellers, the 5’7″ junior guard, averaging a team-leading 18.4 points per game on 48% shooting overall, including 38.3% from three-point range. Sellers sets the tone for the Dawgs at both ends by also leading the Huskies in assists (3.3) and steals (1.7).

A strong offensive core lends added firepower to the UW offense, that is lethal both behind the arc and at the rim.

Sophomore 6’0″ guard Avery Howell averages 12.8 points, drilling 41% of her threes while finishing 71.4% of her shots at the rim.

Moreover, Howell pulls down a team-leading 7.8 rebounds per contest, generating second‑chance opportunities on offense and fastbreak opportunities on defense.

Additionally, 5’11” senior guard Elle Ladine adds 11.1 points and an elite 42.2% from deep range, while finishing 63.2% of her shots at the rim.
In the frontcourt, 6’3″ freshman forward Brynn McGaughy scores 7.9 points, grabs 4.5 rebounds, and posts a team‑best 1.3 blocks per game while converting 63.2% around the basket.

Penn State Preview: Firepower Without a Firewall

Penn State limps into Seattle with only seven wins and a string of lopsided losses — although their latest loss was by four points, 72-76, versus Rutgers on Sunday.

On paper, Penn State arrives with an offense that should travel: 75.7 points per game on 46.6% shooting overall, featuring a dominant post presence; and some shooters capable of catching fire (32.2% team efficiency from three-point range).

.

The Nittany Lions’ headline act is center Gracie Merkle, who scores 19.2 points per game on an astonishing 75.5% from the field.

(6) Penn State Women’s Basketball on X: “McMerkle 🤝 #LionMentality https://t.co/f4ipEsXnMB” / X

Merkle commands double teams, punishes switches, and lives on second chances with 7.8 rebounds per game, including 3.6 offensive rebounds.

(6) Penn State Women’s Basketball on X: “Count it 👏 https://t.co/LruBo77VIp” / X

The uber-talented sophomore guard Kyomi McMiller averages a team-leading 19.4 points and 4.7 assists.

A high-usage scoring guard, McMiller is extremely creative and can get hot from mid‑range and deep.

(6) Penn State Women’s Basketball on X: “Let it fly, @Kiyomi_McMiller ✈️ #LionMentality https://t.co/0vW7QuKKff” / X

But McMiller is also turnover prone at 4.6 turnovers per game — her ball security will be critical against Washington’s defense.

Penn State’s offense can be devastating to opposing defenses in stretches, however, the other side of the ball tells a very different story.

The Nittany Lions give up 82.1 points per game and allow opponents to shoot 46.2% from the floor. This negative scoring margin undercuts their offensive strengths. Even when Penn State scores efficiently, the defense simply cannot keep pace.

As a result, the Nittany Lions can often find themselves playing from behind, forced into riskier decisions and hurried execution.

UW WBB Keys to Victory

To secure the victory over the Penn State Nittany Lions, the UW Huskies will need to disrupt the Nittany Lions by:

(1) UW must manage Penn State frontcourt star Gracie Merkle by fronting the post, bringing selective double teams, and forcing Penn State’s guards (not named Kiyomi McMiller) to beat them from deep;

(2) forcing 20 or more Penn State turnovers (they average 19.4 per game) and converting forced turnovers into 15 points or more with transition offense;

(3) forcing Kiyomi McMiller into high level of difficulty shot attempts, since McMiller is capable of incredible offensive stretches, UW must limit her easy looks and make her expend energy (and shot clock time) on each possession;

(4) UW winning the rebounding battle and limiting Huskies’ turnovers to dictate tempo so that Penn State must play both half-court defense and transition defense, not just a free-flowing game; and

(5) shooting 35% or better from three-point range plus 60% or better at the rim to keep the pressure on Penn State’s defense to stay disciplined and defend the entire court.

Washington’s defense and balanced scoring should control the game, unless Penn State’s interior attack with Gracie Merkle overwhelms them or Washington has an unusually poor shooting night.

Huskies Win Probability: 94%

GO DAWGS!

Share on Facebook

Tweet

Follow us