Huskies Fall to Colorado, 66-61

Sunday, January 7

Seattle, WA

2:00 PM

University of Washington

6-9, 0-4Pac-12

Colorado

11-4, 2-2Pac-12

Colorado

Washington

Photo by: Red Box Pictures

January 07, 2018 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

SEATTLE – Washington fell victim to a big third quarter by Colorado and—despite a late rally—was unable to pull out a victory, falling 66-61 to the Buffaloes on Sunday afternoon at Alaska Airlines Arena.

The Huskies drop to 6-9 on the season and to 0-4 in conference play while Colorado improves to 11-4 and 2-2 in the conference.

Amber Melgoza led Washington with a game-high 28 points, adding three steals, three rebounds and two assists. The sophomore continues to lead the Pac-12 in scoring through the first four games, averaging 24.8 points per game in conference play. Hannah Johnson was the only other Husky in double figures with 10 points.

Washington led through much of the game, holding a 26-13 lead four minutes into the second quarter and leading 34-26 at intermission. But Colorado quickly tied the game with an 8-0 run to start the third and outscored the Huskies 22-9 in the period to take a commanding lead.

In the final quarter, Washington mounted a late charge, using a 13-4 run to close within two points with 1:30 left. However, the Buffaloes hit 5-of-6 free throws down the stretch to hold on for the win.

Alexis Robinson led Colorado with 22 points, seven rebounds and three steals while Janea Bunn added 17 and Kennedy Leonard scored 14. Each scored in double figures in the second half with Leonard scoring 12 of her 14 in the final 20 minutes.

Melgoza got the Huskies off to a fast start, scoring Washington's first 13 points of the game and keying an early 8-0 run. A deep three-pointer from the sophomore capped the run and saw the Huskies with an early 13-3 lead with just under five minutes into the contest. Meanwhile, the Washington defense clamped down and forced six turnovers on Colorado's first eight possessions. The Buffaloes ended the run with back-to-back buckets, but the Huskies answered with a 7-2 run to close out the quarter and hold a 20-9 lead after one.

After a back-and-forth start to the second quarter, Washington stretched the lead up to 13 at 26-13 with 6:55 to go. Colorado called its first timeout and came out firing after that, using a long 13-5 run over the next six minutes to close within five at 31-26 with 30 seconds left. Washington caught a bit of momentum heading to the half as Mai-Loni Henson drained a big three-pointer as the Huskies took a 34-26 advantage to the locker room.

Colorado opened the second half with an 8-0 run, quickly tying the game at 34-34 with 7:16 to go in the period. Washington missed its first six shots from the field and turned the ball over five times to open the period. The Huskies scored their points of the third on a pair of free throws by Rooks at the 4:42 mark to take back the lead.

One minute later, Melgoza hit a runner in the lane for Washington's first field goal of the period. But Colorado would get a three-point play on the ensuing possession and took its first lead of the game at 39-38 with 3:38 left. That bucket was part of a 23-5 Buffalo run to end the quarter as the visitors took a 48-43 lead into the final 10 minutes.

Colorado kept the momentum going to start the fourth quarter, using a 6-0 run to take its largest lead of the game at 54-43 with 7:47 to go. Washington came back with a 9-3 run with Melgoza scoring five of those points and Alexis Griggsby getting a fastbreak layup to make it 57-52 at 4:43 left. After a back-and-forth next few minutes, Melgoza drained a three from the left wing to make it 61-57 with 2:34 on the clock.

Washington got a huge steal by Fapou Semebene in the backcourt with 1:50 left and Melgoza stayed hot, hitting a jumper from the elbow. That capped a 13-4 UW run and made it a two-point game with 1:20 to play.

But Colorado would hit a pair of free throws on the next possession to stretch the lead back to four. Washington had three chances on its next trip down the court, but could not score. Colorado hit a free throw with 23.6 seconds left to extend the lead to five and Washington countered with a jumper by Hannah Johnson to close within three. But the Huskies could get no closer as the Buffs hit another two free throws to cap the scoring.

For the second-straight game, Washington forced 20 turnovers but was only able to turn them into 18 points including just five in the second half. Colorado turned the Huskies over 18 times in the game—the most through the first four games of Pac-12 play.

The Huskies return to action on Friday as they kick off a three-game road trip. First up is No. 23 California at 8:00 p.m. Friday in Berkley. Washington then takes on No. 24 Stanford on Sunday before heading back North for the first of two games against Washington State the following week.