Washington defeats Southern Utah 105-69
Washington Domination: 105-69 Thrashing of Southern Utah in Non-Conference Showdown
In front of its home crowd at Alaska Airlines Arena, the Washington Huskies proved their mettle with a resounding 105-69 victory over visiting Southern Utah on Saturday night.
The primary storyline of the evening was the blowout nature of the game, which saw Washington build an insurmountable lead early and never look back. At halftime, the Huskies held a commanding 53-33 advantage, which only grew wider in the second half as they cruised to a 36-point final margin.
Washington's dominance was on full display throughout the contest, with the team's offense firing on all cylinders. The Huskies' shooting percentages were impressive across the board, with Washington converting 38 of its 72 field goal attempts (52.8%) and making 27 of their 47 two-pointers (57.4%). The team's three-point shooting was also effective, as they knocked down 11 of their 25 attempts from beyond the arc (44%).
The Huskies' defense played a crucial role in their victory as well. Washington held Southern Utah to just 29 of its 64 field goal attempts (45%), including 23 two-pointers and six three-pointers. The visiting Thunderbirds struggled with turnovers, committing 11 in the process.
Despite the large margin of victory, both teams showed flashes of brilliance on the court. For Southern Utah, it was Elijah Duval who led the way with 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists. However, his efforts were ultimately for naught as the Thunderbirds fell to Washington's stifling defense.
Washington's Wesley Yates III led the Huskies in scoring with 14 points on 4-9 three-point shooting, while Franck Kepnang chipped in with 7 rebounds and 9 points. JJ Mandaquit paced the team with 5 assists, 11 points, and a rebound.
In the advanced statistics department, Washington's true shooting percentage was an impressive 63.9%, with an effective field goal percentage of 60.4% and a free throw rate of 31.9%. The Huskies also dominated the boards, grabbing 43 rebounds on the night.
The win marks a significant statement for Washington, particularly in non-conference play. With the Huskies' latest victory, they continue to build momentum heading into their conference slate.
As Southern Utah fell to 0-3 against top-tier opponents, it's clear that this season will be a test of endurance and resilience. The Thunderbirds face an uphill battle ahead, but with Elijah Duval leading the charge, there's still hope for a turnaround in the coming weeks.
For Washington, however, the win is a welcome respite before the Huskies' conference schedule gets underway. With this latest victory under their belt, they're well-positioned to make some noise in the Pac-12 and beyond.