University of Washington
UCLA
Dawgs Close Out No. 17 UCLA, 64-56
January 16, 2016 | Women's Basketball
Box Score | Highlights | Pac-12 Net Recap | Walton Interview
SEATTLE – The Dawgs had lost three close games to top-25 teams this season, but finally got over the hump Friday night at Alaska Airlines Arena, closing out No. 17 UCLA, 64-56. Kelsey Plum scored 23 points, but it was Talia Walton's timely baskets down the stretch as a part of her 22 that led UW to victory.
The win improved the Huskies record to 13-4, including 4-2 in the Pac-12. The 17th-ranked Bruins fell to 11-5 and 3-2 in conference as the Pac-12 race is as competitive as ever this season.
Washington led big early, but the Bruins came all the way back to take the lead in the third quarter. Led by Walton, Washington closed out UCLA in the fourth to earn their biggest win of the season. Plum scored 23, despite just 6-22 shooting by making 11-12 from the foul line. Her aggressiveness against the Bruin defense that way keying on the nation's leading scorer also set up her teammates.
Walton took full advantage, making 8-18 from the floor and 3-7 from 3-point range as she continues to lead the Pac-12 in triples. Walton also went over 1,500 points for her career, becoming just the 13th Husky in program history to reach that milestone.
Starting just her second game and playing a career-high 38 minutes, Alexus Atchley came up big is she looked to help fill the role of Brianna Ruiz who was lost for the season with a knee injury last weekend. She scored a career-high tying eight points, all in the first quarter, while also helping Plum with the ball-handling duties.
Up front, Chantel Osahor pulled down 12 rebounds, despite playing just 29 minutes with some foul trouble. Katie Collier also contributed a career-high tying nine boards, while also surpassing a career-high in minutes with 36. Collier scored seven points, but was big inside drawing fouls on the UCLA posts who struggled with foul trouble for much of the night.
The Dawgs jumped on UCLA early, scoring the first 14 points of the game. Atchley knocked down two early 3-pointers and finished the quarter with all eight of her points. The Huskies defense was strong as they held the Bruins to just 2-21 shooting for the period. Plum also scored eight in the quarter as UW led 16-6 at the end of one.
The Bruins fought back in the second quarter, getting hot from 3-point range. The Bruins made three 3-pointers in the period and five in the half to claw back into the game. The Dawgs stayed ahead thanks to an eight-point quarter from Walton and four free throws from Collier. Still, the Bruins cut the lead to 30-26 at the break.
The Bruins completed the comeback to take the lead in the third quarter, but the Dawgs would not go away. UCLA led by as many as three, but Walton knocked down a big 3-pointer from the corner to tie things back up. The Huskies struggled from the floor in the third, but made 9-10 from the foul line and went to the fourth tied at 46-46.
Walton had the hot hand early in the fourth, knocking down a big 3-pointer with 7:18 to play to put the Huskies up five. UCLA cut it to three on two occasions, but a pair of free throws from Mathilde Gilling and another big bucket from Walton extended the lead back to five. The Bruins could get no closer as the Huskies closed out a massive conference home victory.
The win was the first over a ranked opponent for the Huskies this season and also the third-straight victory against UCLA overall.
The Huskies will complete a weekend at home on Sunday when No. 25 USC comes to Alaska Airlines Arena. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. for another crucial conference battle that will also be televised live on the Pac-12 Networks.
