University of Washington
Utah
Huskies Fall At Utah, 88-83
January 05, 2016 | Women's Basketball
SALT LAKE CITY – Washington dropped its first game in conference on Monday night as Utah prevailed in a high-scoring back and forth contest, 88-83. The Dawgs fell to 11-3 and 2-1 in the Pac-12 as they could not get enough stops down the stretch.
The loss was despite 35 points from Kelsey Plum, who made 15-17 from the free throw line. Despite the loss, Washington is still in good position, having taken two of three on the road to open the Pac-12 season.
The Huskies got off to a sluggish start from the field, making just 4-17 in the first quarter. Defensively, they were solid, but the lack of scoring allowed a 9-0 Utah run in the period. The Utes led by as many as nine and took an 18-11 edge to the second quarter.
The Dawgs offense came to life in the second quarter as they made 10-18 to come back and tie things up at 37-37 at the half. Chantel Osahor continued her big road trip with 12 in the half, including 4-6 from the field and 2-3 from 3-point range. Plum was also in double figures with 11, while Alexus Atchley came off the bench to score five and grab three rebounds.
The third quarter was an up and down affair as both teams were excellent on the offensive end, scoring 29 points apiece. The Dawgs shot 10-17 in the period as Plum got it going, scoring 11 points in the quarter. Osahor also continued to produce, but picked up a costly fourth foul and had to go to the bench.
The fourth quarter was again well-played offensively from both teams, but the Dawgs had a couple no calls go against them, while also not getting the crucial defensive stops. The Dawgs led as late as the 2:33 mark on a layup by Osahor, but she would soon foul out and the Utes took the lead for good with 1:52 to play.
The Utes were nearly perfect from the foul line down the stretch as the Huskies could get no closer than two inside the final minute. Utah was 9-10 from the line in the final 1:18, so even as the Dawgs scored, mostly on Plum getting to the line herself, they could not cut into the lead.
The Huskies finished by shooting 42 percent (29-70), but also 86.4 percent (19-22) from the foul line. In addition to Plum's 35, Osahor had 16 in just 20 minutes, while Talia Walton had a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds.
The Dawgs will now return home for five-straight Pac-12 games at Alaska Airlines Arena. Washington will begin with the Arizona schools as No. 14 Arizona State comes to town Friday night at 7 p.m. Arizona will face the Huskies on Sunday at 2 p.m. with both game broadcast on the Pac-12 Networks.
