When No. 25 Washington walked into XFINITY Center to face No. 16 Maryland on Wednesday night, they faced a hostile Terrapins home crowd and a program looking to bounce back from its worst slump of the season — now only one win in their last five games.
Yet by the end of the night, the Huskies authored one of the most resilient road performances in recent UW history.
This 83–80 double overtime victory was Washington’s fifth straight conference win, its second ranked win of the season, and an emphatic statement that the Huskies are a legitimate contender.
Moreover, they did it by erasing a 13‑point deficit, grinding out defensive stops, and riding the brilliance of guard Sayvia Sellers, who delivered a career‑high 38 points in a legacy performance that will echo for seasons to come.
Beyond the drama, the box score reveals how thoroughly Washington earned this victory.
The Huskies held Maryland to just 59 points in regulation, the Terrapins’ lowest regulation total of the season — shooting a mere 38% overall from the field.
Although Maryland enjoyed a strong start from deep, Washington’s defensive adjustments held the Terrapins to 0% from three-point range in the second half and both overtime periods (finishing 31.8% for the game).
Husky defenders forced 14 Maryland turnovers and racked up nine steals, with Avery Howell leading the Dawgs with a career‑high five steals.
On the glass and in the hustle categories, the Huskies simply outworked the Terrapins.
Washington pulled down 20 offensive rebounds, converting them into 24 second‑chance points—a decisive margin in a three‑point game.
Howell and McGaughy both grabbed 11 rebounds to share the team high to offset big rebounding numbers for Maryland.
The Dawgs’ relentlessness on the boards controlled temp and pace and steadily wore down the Terrapins’ resolve.
UW WBB Player of the Game – Sayvia Sellers
This was a legacy performance for Sayvia Sellers. Her career‑high 38 points, with 34 coming after halftime, stand as one of the most dominant (and clutch) road performances by a Washington guard in recent memory. She also added one (HUGE) chase-down block; plus six assists orchestrating the Huskies’ late‑game offense with composure that belied the stakes.
Alongside Sellers, Avery Howell delivered a complete performance—17 points, 11 rebounds, and five steals—to anchor the Dawgs at both ends of the floor.
Alongside Sellers, Avery Howell delivered a complete performance—17 points, 11 rebounds, and five steals—to anchor the Dawgs at both ends of the floor.
in addition, Elle Ladine’s 10 points included the game‑saving three, a moment a replay-worthy moment whenever this season’s story is told.
in addition, Elle Ladine’s 10 points included the game‑saving three, a moment a replay-worthy moment whenever this season’s story is told.
STARTING FIVE
1st Quarter – Terrapins Shock, Awe and Take Control
From the opening tip, Maryland dictated the tone.
The Terrapins shot a blistering 52.9% from the field in the first quarter, including 50% from beyond the arc.
Terrapin freshman standout Addi Mack immediately caught fire, burying three three‑pointers as Maryland raced to a 22–11 advantage after ten minutes. With Terrapins Yarden Garzon opening the scoring from deep and Saylor Poffenbarger and Isimenme Ozzy‑Momodu contributing early, the Terps looked every bit like a top‑20 team on their home floor.
Conversely, Washington staggered out of the gate.
The Huskies shot just 20% from the field and 14.3% from three in the first quarter, struggling to find rhythm against Maryland’s active defense.
Still, there were early bright spots. Avery Howell set the competitive tone with five first‑quarter points, while Hannah Stines, Elle Ladine, and Devon Coppinger chipped in two points apiece.
Even as they trailed by 11 points, the Huskies showed glimpses of grit and determination that would define the rest of the night.
2nd Quarter – Huskies Hold On and Survive
In the second quarter, Maryland had a chance to blow the game wide open.
Instead, Washington dug in defensively.
Both teams shot 33.3% from the field in the period, and although the Terrapins stayed comfortably ahead in the contest, they could not deliver a knockout punch,
Offensively, UW continued to struggle.
Washington again shot 33.3% from the field but went 0-for‑4 from deep in the frame. However, the Huskies found enough balance to stay within striking distance.
Sayvia Sellers began to warm up slightly, leading UW with four points in the second quarter; while Hannah Stines, Elle Ladine, Yulia Grabovskaia, and Brynn McGaughy each added two.
Though the Huskies trailed 35–23 at the break, the Dawgs defense had quietly reset the game’s trajectory, holding Maryland to just 13 points in the period and planting the seeds of a (soon-to-be epic) comeback.
3rd Quarter – Sellers Ignites the Comeback Spark
After halftime, Washington emerged from the locker room with urgency, and the third quarter became the launching pad for a remarkable turnaround.
The Huskies shot 47.1% from the field and a scorching 57% from three, finally punishing Maryland’s defense with the perimeter shooting that had eluded them earlier.
Most importantly, Sayvia Sellers took over the game.
Sellers poured in 14 points in the third alone, spearheading a decisive 13–2 surge that erased Maryland’s double‑digit cushion. Eight of those surge-fueling points came from Sellers, whose drives, pull‑ups and threes left the Terrapins scrambling.
Avery Howell added five key points in the frame, including a corner three that capped a critical 10–0 run to tie the game at 39–39.
Both Hannah Stines and Yulia Grabovskaia contributed as well, and by the time the quarter ended with the score knotted at 46–46 (thanks to a late Marland layup) the momentum had swung firmly toward Washington.
Fourth Quarter – Trading Punches
The fourth quarter unfolded like a heavyweight bout.
The Huskies appeared ready to seize control, yet each time the Terrapins countered.
Washington shot 33.3% from the floor in the period, while Maryland managed 30.8%, with neither team able to create separation.
The game’s tension mounted with every possession as both sides leaned on their stars and their defensive identity.
For Washington, Sellers continued her assault with six more points in the fourth, while Ladine, Grabovskaia, and McGaughy delivered critical buckets.
Maryland, meanwhile, relied heavily on Poffenbarger’s interior presence and Mack’s steady scoring.
As the clock wound down, the Terrapins nudged ahead at the free throw line.
Yet with the Huskies trailing late, Elle Ladine stepped into the game’s first iconic moment. With just 13 seconds remaining and UW down three, Ladine calmly buried a clutch three‑pointer to tie the game at 59–59 and ultimately force overtime.
Ladine’s three-point shot didn’t just extend the night; it reasserted Washington’s belief that the upset victory was theirs to take.
Ladine’s three-point shot didn’t just extend the night; it reasserted Washington’s belief that the upset victory was theirs to take.
First Overtime – Surviving on Sheer Will
Once the game reached overtime, it became a test of each team’s poise and stamina.
Washington again shot 33.3% from the field in the first extra period, while Maryland hovered at 30.8%. Defense and mental toughness dictated outcomes more than scheme.
Sayvia Sellers once again led the charge, scoring seven points in the first OT.
Ladine and Howell each added three, as the Huskies refused to yield despite the Terps’ crowd roaring with every Maryland response.
Ladine and Howell each added three, as the Huskies refused to yield despite the Terps’ crowd roaring with every Maryland response.Terrapin Garzon rolled in an early layup, then hit her fourth three‑pointer of the night to momentarily reclaim the lead for the Terrapins; and Mack followed with an and‑one that pushed Maryland ahead 69–68, and free throws from Mack and Poffenbarger kept the Terps alive.
Still, the Huskies answered every blow. Sellers slashed through traffic for a go‑ahead layup with four seconds left, appearing to seal the upset.
Yet Maryland found one last gasp: Poffenbarger snagged an offensive rebound, drew a foul, and split a pair of free throws with 0.3 seconds left to tie the game once again, at 72–72, heading into double overtime.
2nd Overtime – Sellers Closes, Huskies Finish
In the second overtime, Washington finally imposed its will.
Remarkably, the Huskies again shot 33.3% from the field, but their decision‑making and composure were markedly sharper.
Sellers opened the frame with her fifth three of the night, giving Washington a 75–74 lead they would never surrender.
Sellers scored seven points in the second OT, while Avery Howell added four more, including vital plays in traffic that sustained UW’s narrow edge.
Maryland’s last field goal came on a jumper that cut the margin to 77–76 with about three and a half minutes left.
Maryland’s last field goal came on a jumper that cut the margin to 77–76 with about three and a half minutes left.From there, the game turned into a free‑throw clinic for Washington. The Huskies made 6 of 8 from the line in the closing minutes, calmly converting under maximum pressure.
The Terrapins tried to claw back at the stripe, trimming the lead to a single point in the final 30 seconds.
Nevertheless, UW’s composure—capped by late free throws to make it 83–80— which allowed Washington to close out the win and celebrate an epic 83–80 road victory in College Park.
