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Late Surge Pushes Huskies Past Arizona State

Matthew Bryan-Amaning had a career day to lift the Washington Huskies (15-4) to an 88-75 victory over the Arizona State Sun Devils (9-10) Saturday at the Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle, Wash.

Bryan-Amaning led both teams in scoring with 30 points and the Husky big man added nine rebounds; he was just one rebound away from his seventh double-double of the season. The Washington forward did an excellent job moving off the ball to get open for his teammates and limiting his number of mistakes under the basket.

Bryan-Amaning, who has struggled with inconsistency and saw himself removed from the starting lineup last month for a four-game stretch, has scored 102 points in his last five games, scoring in double figures in all but one, a loss to Stanford.

Ty Abbott lead Arizona State leading 20 points weren’t enough to stop a late surge for Washington, who took a decisive lead with 1:12 remaining in the second half following a Scott Suggs 3-point basket from the baseline to make it 81-73 in favor of the Huskies.

The UW offense continued to threaten from all areas of the floor. Thomas streak of at least 20 points and 10 assisted ended Saturday, but with 19 points, eight assists and six rebounds he continued to do his part offensively as the Huskies moved to 7-1 in the Pac-10, their best start since the 1986-87 season.

Washington trailed Arizona State by four with just over two minutes to play in the half before a steal by Thomas sparked a 7-0 by Washington who took a 40-39 lead at the break.

The first half saw Abbott make six of twelve shots while being guarded by every Husky but Thomas. In the second half Thomas took over, adding two more steals while nearly halting all of Abbott’s offensive production. Abbott missed four of six shot he took in the second half.

Perimeter shooting from the Arizona State guards kept them in the game well into the second half. Rihards Kuksiks finished with 11 points made three of four behind the arc, and Trent Lockett shot 100 percent behind the arc and added 20 points for the Sun Devils.

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Tied for the sixth time in the game, a three-point basket from Kuksiks had both teams sitting at 63 with six minutes to play before the Huskies went on a 7-3 into the final four minutes of the game.

The Sun Devils would come within three points with 3:31 remaining but could not get over the hump, sending the Huskies to the line four times where they made 7-of-9 from the stripe.

The Huskies will continue their quest to dominate the Pac-10 on Sunday, January 30, as they head to the Palouse to take on conference rival Washington State.

By Ganelle Swehla
DFN Sports Staff Writer