University of Washington
Utah
Dawgs Down Utah, 73-60
February 26, 2016 | Women's Basketball
SEATTLE – Washington picked up another crucial conference win on Thursday night, downing Utah at Alaska Airlines Arena, 73-60. The Huskies (19-9, 10-7 Pac-12) also clinched an above .500 record in the Pac-12 and look to have run out of ways to be left out of the NCAA Tournament.
It was a complete performance by the Dawgs as their big three that should receive consideration for All-Conference all had it going at the same time. Kelsey Plum finished with a game-high 26 points, while Talia Walton had 20 and Chantel Osahor finished with a double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds.
Plum's 26 also broke her own school record for points in a season as she had 746 last year and is now at 750 for her junior season. Meanwhile, Walton had her seventh 20-point game of the year, while Osahor picked up her ninth double-double.
The Dawgs got off to a bit of a sluggish start, trailing by as many as eight in the opening period. However, the Dawgs chipped away and pulled to within three, 17-14, as Katie Collier grabbed an offensive rebound and laid it in just before the buzzer.
Washington surged to the lead to open the second quarter, reeling off a 9-0 run to begin the second as Walton caught fire, scoring 10 in the quarter. Twice Walton had steals at the top of the zone that led to layups in transition. The Huskies led by as many as eight, before Utah scored at the buzzer to cut the lead to 36-31.
The Huskies extended their lead in the third quarter to as many as 16 and never looked back. The Dawgs really picked things up on the defensive end, allowing only seven points in the period. Plum got things going, knocking down a pair of 3-pointers, giving her three for the game.
Utah cut the lead to double-digits in the fourth quarter, but never seriously threatened as Washington won going away. In addition to the big three, Collier tied a career high with nine rebounds, while Alexus Atchley scored seven points on 3-7 shooting.
The Dawgs shot 42.6 percent (26-61) for the game, while holding Utah to just 33.8 percent (23-68). In addition, the Huskies made seven 3-pointers to just four from the Utes and converted 17-19 from the foul line, while Utah shot only eight free throws.
The win all but guarantees Washington will be in the NCAA Tournament field, but seeding will still be a factor as the Huskies have one regular season game to play, plus the Pac-12 Tournament.
The Dawgs will wrap up the conference season on Saturday when they host Colorado for Senior Day. Tip is set for 1 p.m. as Atchley, Mathilde Gilling and Walton will be honored after the game for their contributions to the program.
