University of Washington
Washington State
Dawgs Earn Season Sweep Over Wazzu, 69-63
January 24, 2016 | Women's Basketball
Box Score | Highlights | Pac-12 Net Recap | Walton Interview
SEATTLE – The Huskies kept it rolling, closing out Washington State with a big fourth quarter, 69-63. Washington (15-4, 6-2 Pac-12) jumped out to an early lead, but then gave it back, before prevailing down the stretch over the Cougars (12-7, 3-5).
The win was the fourth-straight at home for the Dawgs who are now 9-2 at Alaska Airlines Arena. It was also the third-straight against Washington State and completed the season sweep.
The Huskies were led by Kelsey Plum who scored 24 points, but it was a career-high 15 from Alexus Atchley that made the difference. Entering the starting lineup last weekend after an injury to Brianna Ruiz, the former walk-on has taken full advantage. She made four 3-pointers, while also contributing six rebounds and two assists.
The Dawgs got off to a fast start, leading 14-4 early on to force a Washington State timeout. Atchley had the early hot hand, making her first two 3-pointers to score seven points in the opening minutes. The Huskies used early balanced scoring, making 9-18 in the quarter to lead 23-15 at the end of one.
The Cougars tried to creep back into the game and got within eight, before the Huskies extended once more. Washington led 38-25 at the break, getting a career-best 10 points in the half from Atchley, matching Plum who also had 10. Katie Collier had eight points and five rebounds, exuding her presence in the middle.
The third quarter belonged to Washington State as they came all the way back to take the lead. The Cougars made six 3-pointers in the quarter to outscore the Dawgs 24-9 during the 10 minutes. They took a two-point lead and plenty of momentum to the final quarter, but the Dawgs would fight back.
Plum got things going in the final quarter, finally getting rewarded at the foul line. She made 7-8 in the fourth after not taking a free throw for the first three quarters. The lack of calls were enough to get Mike Neighbors his first technical foul of the season towards the end of the third.
Plum's teammates were also big down the stretch, particularly Talia Walton who made a big 3-pointer to open the quarter and banked in a runner in the final minutes. She finished with 13 points, while Collier had 11 and eight rebounds. Chantel Osahor led the Dawgs with 12 boards as the Huskies outrebounded WSU, 43-34.
The win moves Washington alone into third place in the Pac-12 for now. Arizona State and Oregon State currently hold the top two positions, while the winner of UCLA and Stanford will tie the Huskies in third as the two California schools play on Sunday.
Saturday's win concludes the five-game stretch at home for the Huskies. Next week they head back out on the road to face No. 11 Stanford and California. The Dawgs will face the Cardinal in Palo Alto on January, 29, at 8p.m., before heading to Berkeley to face the Bears on Sunday, January 31, at 2 p.m.
