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Washington Huskies @ Washington State Cougars Basketball Recap

A home win streak ended at 14 games for the Washington Huskies, and their hopes of finishing the season undefeated at Alaska Airlines Arena were shattered as the Washington State Cougars routed them on Sunday night, 80 to 69. 

Washington State went on an 11-2 run to close out the first half with a seven point 24-17 lead. It was a remarkably bad first half. The Huskies and Cougars combined for a total of 20 turnovers and shot a combined 16 for 61 from the field, with two of the conference's leading scorers - WSU's Klay Thompson and UW's Isaiah Thomas - scoring just 12 total points combined.

The Zone defense of the Cougars was again an issue for the Huskies as it was four weeks ago when Washington State beat a then-18th-ranked Washington team 87-80, setting into play the Huskies' three-game losing streak. The Huskies shot a season-low 36 percent in that game against the Cougars, and things did not seem to get any better for their second meeting with their in-state rivals.

The Huskies, who are second in overall points per game with 86 and 11th in field goal percentage, shot a dismal 22.2 percent in the first half and dug themselves a hole heading into the half. Thomas had just four points, and Matthew Bryan-Amaning - who averages 16 points a game - was 0-for-5 in the first 20 minutes.

Both teams were in search of an offense as the second half began and it was all in favor of the Cougars. Bryan-Amaning would not score until the 13-minute mark in the second half, and things just got worse for the Huskies. UW’s big man was one for eight in Pullman on January 30, and Sunday night was not much different, as he was just three of 11 from the field. Thomas led scoring for Washington finishing the night with 21 points, and five assists.

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It was a well-rounded night for Thompson, who finished with 26 points to pace Washington State. Thompson worked with what the UW defense gave him, and he did a wonderful job of not forcing shots and finding open teammates, finishing with three assists in meaningful situations. DeAngelo Casto added 20 points and 13 rebounds in the Wazzu victory.

Washington State won in every aspect of the game. The Cougars did their best to take quality shots and proved the point by making 25 free throws in a row. The Cougars used their foul-shooting prowess to accumulate a lead of as many as 21 points in Seattle.

With back-to-back-to-back three-point baskets made by the Huskies in the final five minutes, a scoring flurry brought the Huskies within seven. But as with every attempt at a run the Huskies made, Washington State had an answer, and Washington couldn’t find a way over the hump.

The Huskies fell to 10-6 in the conference and completely out of contention for a regular-season title. They now look ahead to the LA schools and hopefully can find a way to turn things around.

By Ganelle Swehla
DFN Sports Staff Writer