University of Washington
Washington State
Dawgs Open Conference Play With Win In Pullman
December 30, 2015 | Women's Basketball
Box Score | Highlights | Pac-12 Networks Recap | Postgame Interview with Osahor
PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington got off to just the start they hoped for in Pac-12 play, beating Washington State, 79-64. Kelsey Plum was unstoppable, scoring 33 points to lead the Dawgs to a big road win.
The Huskies improved to 10-2 on the season and earned the first win in Pac-12 play as the Dawgs and Cougars was the opener across the conference. Washington shot 46.4 percent (26-56) for the game and made 12 3-pointers to cruise to a comfortable victory.
Plum made 10-22 from the floor, including 5-7 from 3-point range, while making 8-8 from the foul line. She also added four rebounds, four assists and three steals.
The junior guard continued her historic scoring pace, scoring at least 30 points for the 16th time in her career. It was also her 52nd game of at least 20 points, breaking the school record set last year by Jazmine Davis with 51.
After a bit of a cold start, Washington took command in the first quarter, building an 18-12 lead at the end of one. It was the Husky defense that got things going early on as Washington State committed nine turnovers in the first quarter.
Plum had 19 at the half as the Dawgs led 42-31 at the break. Washington shot 7-15 from 3-point range in the first half with both Plum and Brianna Ruiz connecting on three triples.
The Huskies pulled away in the third quarter, opening the second half on a 15-8 run. At one point Plum and Ruiz traded 3-point baskets on three-straight possessions to blow the game open.
The Huskies finished with four players in double figures as Ruiz scored 12 on her four 3's, while Chantel Osahor and Talia Walton each added 11. Ruiz also grabbed a career-best seven rebounds to tie Osahor for the team high.
While the offensive output was top notch for the Huskies, the defense was outstanding again. Walton joined Plum with three steals as the Cougars turned the ball over 21 times.
The Huskies also held WSU to just 6-27 shooting from 3-point range, while the Cougars made just 25-67 (37 percent) overall. Washington also shot 13 more free throws than their opponent for the game.
The Dawgs will continue a busy week on the road, traveling to the Rocky Mountains this weekend. The Huskies will first face Colorado in Boulder on Saturday, Jan. 2 at noon, followed by a trip to Salt Lake City to take on Utah on Monday, Jan. 4 at 5 p.m. Both games will be broadcast on the Pac-12 Networks as the Dawgs look to extend their fast start to the conference season on the road.
