University of Washington
Grambling State
Huskies Keep It Rolling, Down Grambling, 84-53
December 14, 2014 | Women's Basketball
Box Score
SEATTLE – Washington kept it going, winning their eighth-straight to improve to 8-1, beating Grambling, 84-53. The Huskies got off to an uncharacteristic cold start, but kept it close until the shots started to drop.
Kelsey Plum led Washington with 26 points, but the Dawgs once again used a balanced attack with four players in double figures. Current Pac-12 Freshman of the Week Brianna Ruiz finished with a career-best 15 points on 6-7 shooting, while Aminah Williams had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds and Talia Walton added 14 points.
Despite the lopsided final score, Grambling made it a game for the first 15 minutes. Head coach Mike Neighbors blamed the slow start on finals week as the Huskies took three days off to attend to their studies.
“It took us a little time to speed up,” said Neighbors. “Our kids are all good students, so we took those three days off. It made our practice a little disjointed so we didn't get a chance to look at all of Grambling's stuff. They do a lot with their defense and it slowed us down for a half.”
The Dawgs shot just 15-40 from the floor in the first half, including 6-18 from 3-point range. Grambling led as late as the 4:56 mark of the half, but the Dawgs ended the period on a 16-5 run to take control. Plum had 11 points at the break to lead the Huskies, but Ruiz finishing 2-3 from downtown and Williams snatching eight rebounds were the highlights of the half.
After the break, Washington looked like the team that entered the game ranked seventh in the country in scoring. The Dawgs began the half on a 30-9 run to blow the game open as they began to take advantage of the Grambling press, creating easy shots at the other end.
“I actually thought we got good shots in the first half, but the second half was more the way we have been playing,” said Neighbors. “We might not shoot 64 percent, but we have been shooting in the mid-40's and 50's.”
For the 20 minutes after halftime, however, Washington did shoot 64 percent, making 20-31 from the field. Jazmine Davis did well to break the Grambling press and find open teammates. She finished with only six points, but had seven assists, getting her teammates involved.
“I thought Jaz really dominated the game, despite only scoring six points,” said Neighbors. “That is a credit her.”
The Huskies scored at least 80 points for the ninth-straight game as they continue to be one of the most efficient offenses in the country. For the game, the Dawgs shot 49 percent, although just 8-26 (30.8 percent) from 3-point range. Ruiz made 3-4 from downtown, but otherwise the Huskies were well below their average from beyond the arc.
Washington also fared well on the glass, dominating a smaller Grambling team. Chantel Osahor led the Dawgs with 11 rebounds to go with the 10 from Williams.
Washington will now head back out on the road with for its final two games before Christmas. The Dawgs travel to Southern California to face San Diego State on Thursday, Dec. 18 at 6 p.m. and UC Riverside on Saturday, Dec. 20 at 5 p.m.
