For one quarter on Thursday night at Alaska Airlines Arena, No. 16 Washington looked nearly unstoppable.
The Huskies turned a nonconference matchup against Cal State Bakersfield (CSUB) into a showcase of offensive efficiency, defensive pressure, and balanced production, racing to a program-record 35 points in the opening quarter before cruising to an 85-51 victory. Washington never trailed after scoring 19 seconds into the contest and led for 39:41 of game action.
While the final margin was 34 points, the story of the game was Washington’s impressive start. The Huskies opened by making 13 of their first 14 field-goal attempts and 6 of their first 7 shots from beyond the arc. Nine of those 13 baskets were assisted as Washington built a 35-8 advantage by the end of the first quarter.
Head coach Tina Langley‘s team finished the night shooting 52.7% from the field and 45.5% from three-point range, knocking down 15 triples while forcing 23 Roadrunner turnovers that led directly to 33 points. Every Husky who saw the floor scored.
Washington was led by Avery Howell, who poured in a game-high 21 points on 7-for-9 shooting while connecting on six three-pointers. Devin Coppinger added 12 points and three assists, Tilda Trygger contributed 11 points and seven rebounds, and Sayvia Sellers orchestrated the offense with five assists. Defensively, Daniella McLean recorded a career-high three blocks.
To Cal State Bakersfield’s credit, the Roadrunners settled in after the opening blitz. After being outscored by 27 in the first quarter, CSUB lost the final three periods by a combined seven points and showed considerably more resistance against a ranked opponent. Mydrea Moore led the visitors with 12 points and five rebounds, while Dresha Moore added 11 points.
Ultimately, however, the Washington defense held the Roadrunners to only 40% shooting overall; despite allowing 35.7% shooting from three-point range.
First Quarter: Huskies Deliver Historic Offensive Explosion
The game was effectively decided in the opening 10 minutes.
Washington scored on its first possession when Tilda Trygger finished a layup off a feed from Devin Coppinger. Moments later, Avery Howell drilled her first three-pointer, igniting a run that quickly overwhelmed the Roadrunners.
The Huskies jumped to a 16-2 start, fueled by relentless ball movement and transition opportunities created by their defense. Brynn McGaughy scored seven first-quarter points, Howell added seven, and Coppinger chipped in seven of her own as Washington buried six three-pointers across five different players.
By the end of the quarter, the Huskies had connected on 13 of 14 shots from the field, shot 93 percent overall, and owned a commanding 35-8 lead. The 35-point quarter established a new program record for points in a single period.
Second Quarter: Roadrunners Respond, Huskies Maintain Control
The pace slowed considerably in the second quarter, but Washington’s lead never came under threat.
Howell opened the scoring with a jumper and later added another three-pointer as the Huskies pushed their advantage beyond 30 points. While the offense cooled from its historic first-quarter pace, Washington still found enough production from its bench to stay comfortably ahead.
Cal State Bakersfield played its best stretch of the first half during this period. Mydrea Moore attacked the basket effectively, and the Roadrunners closed the half with five consecutive points, capped by Aloni Oliver’s three-pointer at the buzzer.
Even so, Washington entered halftime leading 50-22 after forcing 13 first-half turnovers and holding the Roadrunners to 33 percent shooting through two quarters.
Third Quarter: Bakersfield Shows Fight, Washington Answers
Following halftime, the Roadrunners made their strongest push.
After Tilda Trygger opened the period with a three-pointer, CSUB responded with a 7-0 run fueled by baskets from Dresha Moore, Mydrea Moore, and Nseije Ortiz. The burst trimmed the deficit to 53-29 and briefly slowed the Huskies’ momentum.
Washington answered through its biggest star of the night.
Howell buried back-to-back three-pointers midway through the quarter, restoring a 30-point cushion and silencing any thoughts of a comeback. Coppinger added a driving layup, McGaughy chipped in a putback jumper, and Amayah Garcia knocked down a late three as the Huskies edged the Roadrunners 21-19 in the period.
Washington took a 71-41 lead into the fourth quarter.
Fourth Quarter: Dawgs Finish Strong
The Huskies continued to rotate freely in the final quarter while protecting their lead.
CSUB scored the first five points of the frame, but Howell quickly answered with her sixth three-pointer of the night. On the next notable possession, Howell delivered an assist to Coppinger for another three, extending the margin back beyond 30 points.
Washington’s bench handled much of the closing stretch. Petra Toman knocked down a late three-pointer, and McLean scored the game’s final basket with six seconds remaining. The Huskies outscored the Roadrunners 14-10 in the quarter to secure the 85-51 victory.
Player of the Game: Avery Howell Continues Early-Season Surge
On a night when Washington’s entire roster contributed, Avery Howell stood above the rest.
The junior guard finished with 21 points in just 22 minutes, shooting an ultra-efficient 7-for-9 from the floor and 6-for-8 from three-point range. She added four rebounds, two assists, a block, and committed zero turnovers.
What made Howell’s performance particularly impressive was the timing of her contributions. She was instrumental in Washington’s record-setting first quarter, scoring seven points as the Huskies built immediate separation. When Cal State Bakersfield opened the third quarter with renewed energy and briefly cut the deficit to 24, Howell delivered consecutive three-pointers that halted the momentum and re-established Washington’s control. Later, her fourth-quarter three effectively ended any remaining suspense.
Beyond the scoring totals, Howell’s efficiency reflected the poise and shot selection that have become hallmarks of her game. She didn’t force offense and consistently punished defensive lapses with quick-release three-pointers. Her lone block came early in the first quarter during Washington’s defensive surge, highlighting the all-around impact she had on both ends of the floor.
For a Washington team with aspirations of remaining among the nation’s ranked programs, Howell’s ability to stretch defenses while playing within the flow of the offense continues to be invaluable. Thursday’s performance was another reminder that when she gets rolling from beyond the arc, the Huskies become exceptionally difficult to contain.
Washington’s historic first quarter grabbed the headlines, but Howell’s combination of efficiency, timely shooting, and overall impact made her the clear choice for Player of the Game.
UP NEXT: Washington Huskies at Washington State – November 17th @ 7:30PM (Pullman WA)
