University of Washington
Santa Clara
Walton Goes For 33 As UW Routs Santa Clara
November 15, 2015 | Women's Basketball
Box Score
SEATTLE – The Huskies tipped off the 2015-16 season in grand fashion on Saturday afternoon at Alaska Airlines Arena, defeating Santa Clara 100-55 as Talia Walton went for a career-best 33 points.
The Dawgs shot the ball well all night, but nobody better than Walton who was 10-14 from the floor and 8-9 from 3-point range. Her eight 3-pointers were the second most in school history as only Kristi Kingma's 11 at Oregon in 2013 was better. Walton also added 5-5 shooting from the free throw line, nine rebounds, four assists and a career-best six steals.
Walton had 19 points at the half, but then really got things going with a perfect third quarter, making 4-4 from the field, 3-3 from distance and 3-3 from the foul line. She did not score in the fourth quarter as the Huskies had already build a big lead.
As a team, Washington shot 50.9 percent (29-57), including 52.4 percent (11-21) from 3-point range to clear the century mark for the first time this season.
The Huskies finished with three players in double figures as Kelsey Plum added 25 points, while Katie Collier had 12. Plum also had eight assists in her new role as point guard for the Huskies.
The Husky bench was also impressive as freshman Deja Strother had nine points and five rebounds, while Khalia Lark added eight.
The Dawgs jumped to a big early lead, up 16-5, but the Broncos then went on an 11-0 run to tie the score at 16 apiece with 3:05 left in the first quarter. Washington quickly responded, however, using an 11-0 run of their own to close out the quarter and lead by double digits the rest of the way.
Washington really put things out of reach in the second quarter, outscoring Santa Clara, 25-8. The 28-point margin at half surely seemed insurmountable, but that didn't stop Walton from extending the lead after the break.
Defensively, the Huskies forced 30 turnovers, scoring 29 points off the SCU miscues. Washington also held the Broncos to just 30.2 percent (19-63) shooting and 3-20 from 3-point range.
Next up for the Huskies is the rivalry game with Seattle U. on Wednesday night back at Alaska Airlines Arena. The game will be a 7 p.m. tipoff and be available via webcast on gohuskies.com.
