Behind a historic performance from senior guard Sayvia Sellers, Washington erased an early deficit and controlled the final 20 minutes to earn a 79-63 victory over UC San Diego on Monday night at Alaska Airlines Arena.
Early on, the defending Big West champions dictated tempo, knocked down perimeter shots, and forced the Huskies into mistakes. But as the game wore on, Washington’s size, rebounding dominance, and star power eventually became too much to overcome.
Sellers opened the 2026-27 season with one of the most impressive all-around performances of her career, recording 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists for Washington’s first triple-double since 2016. The veteran guard set career highs in both rebounds and assists while serving as the centerpiece of a second-half surge that transformed a competitive game into a convincing Huskies win.
Washington’s advantage ultimately came from its physicality. The Huskies overwhelmed UC San Diego on the glass, outrebounding the Tritons 54-27 and generating a staggering 46-16 advantage in points in the paint. While the Tritons kept pace from beyond the arc for much of the evening, they simply could not match Washington’s length and interior presence over forty minutes.
Avery Howell added 22 points, Brynn McGaughy posted 13 points and a career-high 15 rebounds, and Tilda Trygger supplied eight points and 13 rebounds as Washington wore down a UC San Diego squad that entered the season as a two-time defending Big West champion.
At times, it looked the Huskies were still auditioning for roles, including the fifth starter position — Freshman Amayah Garcia (2 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 turnover) played well defensively and earned 22 minutes of playing time as a result, which matched the 22 minutes of starter Devon Coppinger (4 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist). Meanwhile, Kentucky sophomore transfer KK Carroll played 23 minutes (0 points, 3 steals and four blocks); and Colorado State junior transfer Brooke Carlson played 13 minutes (5 points).
Ultimately, however, Washington’s control of the boards and ability to finish inside allowed the Huskies to steadily separate after halftime.
First Quarter: Tritons Strike Early
Washington’s season opener did not begin according to plan.
UC San Diego came out aggressive and confident, finding success from long range and taking advantage of Husky miscues. The Tritons knocked down perimeter shots early while limiting Washington’s transition opportunities, allowing them to build momentum and briefly establish control.
Coryn Watts helped pace the visitors from deep, and UC San Diego’s disciplined half-court offense consistently found quality looks. While Sellers and Howell provided offensive answers, Washington struggled at times to convert defensive stops into sustained scoring runs.
The opening quarter established the central storyline of the first half: UC San Diego’s perimeter shooting versus Washington’s interior size.
Second Quarter: Huskies Settle In, Sellers Delivers Late Spark
The game remained tightly contested throughout the second period.
Washington began finding more success on the glass, but turnovers continued to prevent the Huskies from building separation. UC San Diego repeatedly answered Washington runs with timely three-pointers, maintaining pressure on the home team.
Despite Washington’s growing rebounding advantage, the Tritons carried a five-point lead late in the quarter.
Then Sellers delivered the first pivotal moment of the season.
With less than a minute remaining before halftime, the senior guard connected from beyond the arc to erase the deficit and send both teams into the locker room tied at 31-31.
The basket seemed modest in the moment, but it shifted both the scoreboard and the energy inside Alaska Airlines Arena. Instead of chasing the game after halftime, Washington entered the break completely level and poised to make adjustments.
Third Quarter: Washington Takes Control
The third quarter belonged to the Huskies.
After a first half spent searching for rhythm, Washington finally began to impose its physical advantages. McGaughy sparked an early 8-2 run with five points, helping the Huskies seize the lead for good at 41-36.
Moments later, UC San Diego briefly trimmed the margin with another three-pointer, but Sellers responded immediately.
The senior scored seven points during a decisive 8-0 Washington run, including a traditional three-point play that energized the crowd and stretched the lead to double digits.
As Sellers orchestrated the offense, Washington’s frontcourt dominated the paint. McGaughy, Trygger, and the Huskies’ post rotation repeatedly controlled rebounds and created second-chance opportunities, forcing UC San Diego into increasingly difficult possessions.
By the end of the quarter, the momentum had completely shifted to Washington.
Fourth Quarter: Huskies Finish the Job
Unlike many season openers that become sloppy in the closing minutes, both teams continued to score efficiently in the final period.
UC San Diego shot well offensively and continued to battle, but every Triton push was met with a Huskies answer.
Howell delivered timely baskets, Sellers continued distributing the ball, and Washington repeatedly attacked the paint. The Huskies finished 13-for-17 from the field in the fourth quarter, demonstrating the offensive efficiency that had eluded them earlier in the game.
Meanwhile, Washington’s rebounding dominance never relented. Every defensive stop seemed to generate only a single UC San Diego opportunity, while the Huskies consistently created extra possessions on the offensive end.
By the final buzzer, Washington had turned a halftime deadlock into a comfortable 16-point victory.
UDUB WBB Player of the Game: Sayvia Sellers with All-American Ambitions?
Washington has entered the season with significant expectations, and Sellers immediately reminded everyone why.
The senior guard was magnificent in every phase of the game, finishing with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists while controlling the contest whenever Washington needed stability.
What made the performance especially impressive was its timing.
When Washington struggled during the first half, Sellers provided scoring. When the Huskies needed a momentum swing before halftime, Sellers buried a three-pointer to tie the game. When UC San Diego remained within striking distance in the third quarter, Sellers orchestrated the decisive run that put Washington in control.
The triple-double itself was remarkable, but the way Sellers accumulated it was even more significant. Rather than hunting statistics, she simply impacted every element of the game. She scored efficiently, rebounded far above her position, created opportunities for teammates, and helped steady a team navigating the opening-night challenges that often accompany a season debut.
The career-high 11 rebounds underscored Washington’s commitment to dominating the glass, while the career-best 10 assists highlighted Sellers’ continued evolution as a complete floor general.
Most importantly, her leadership helped transform a close game into a decisive win.
If Washington is going to contend nationally this season, performances like this one from Sellers will be a major reason why. On opening night, the senior guard looked every bit like one of the nation’s elite players.
Final Takeaway
Washington’s victory was not flawless. The Huskies committed 21 turnovers and spent much of the first half searching for offensive consistency.
Yet the game also showcased many of the traits that could make this team dangerous throughout the season: elite rebounding, frontcourt depth, interior scoring, perimeter shooting from Howell, and a superstar capable of taking over games in Sellers.
Against an experienced UC San Diego team, Washington weathered an early challenge and steadily imposed its will. By night’s end, the Huskies had turned a competitive contest into a convincing victory and opened the season with an encouraging statement.
And at the center of it all stood Sellers, whose historic triple-double provided the first signature performance of Washington’s 2026-27 campaign.
