Balanced Attack Leads Washington to 68-58 Win Over Colorado

Friday, January 11

Seattle, WA

7:00 PM

University of Washington

8-8, 1-3Pac-12

Colorado

10-5, 0-4Pac-12

Colorado

Washington

Photo by: Red Box Pictures

Balanced Attack Leads Washington to 68-58 Win Over Colorado

January 11, 2019 | Women's Basketball

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SEATTLE – Amber Melgoza scored 15 to lead a balanced attack as Washington picked up its first Pac-12 win of the year, beating Colorado 68-58 on Friday night at Alaska Airlines Arena.

The Huskies move back to .500 at 8-8 on the season, improving to 1-3 in Pac-12 play while the Buffaloes fall to 10-5 and to 0-4 in the conference.

Melgoza had 15 points to lead all scorers while and was one of six UW players with at least eight points. Sophomore Missy Peterson added 11 points and seven rebounds while freshman T.T. Watkins scored 10 points to reach double-figures for just the second time this season.

Freshman Haley Van Dyke added nine points with senior Jenna Moser and freshman Darcy Rees each contributed eight. The freshmen combined for 27 points—the most by the trio this season.

The Huskies shot well in the game, hitting 44.3 percent from the field including connecting on 11-of-19 in the pivotal first quarter. Washington jumped out to a quick 17-3 and despite allowing Colorado to get within six midway through the second, Washington would lead from start to finish for just the second time this year.

The Huskies limited the Buffaloes to just 38.6 percent shooting in the game and to just 35 rebounds—well below their season averages of 42 percent and 42.1 rebounds coming in.

Washington jumped out to a 17-3 lead through the first five minutes of the first quarter, forcing four early turnovers and holding Colorado without a field goal until the 4:53 mark. Over that stretch, T.T. Watkins scored seven of the first nine points for the Huskies while Melgoza added four. The Buffaloes closed the gap a bit with a quick 5-0 run to make it 21-12 with 1:21 left, but the Huskies wrapped up the quarter with back-to-back three's by Jenna Moser and Haley Van Dyke to lead 27-14 after one. The 27 points scored in the first match the most by the team in a quarter this year and was the most in the first quarter.

After the Huskies got a steal by Van Dyke and layup by Melgoza to open the quarter, but they would struggle to find the basket much of the rest of the quarter. Colorado came roaring back, using a 14-5 run over the next seven minutes, hitting back-to-back layups to make it a 34-28 game with 2:31 left. The Huskies would weather the storm with Melgoza hitting a jumper in transition to end the run and Peterson burying a three-pointer from the corner with 20 seconds left as Washington took a 39-28 lead to the half.

Colorado opened the third quarter with five unanswered points to close within six at 39-33 at the 8:17 mark. The Huskies would answer with a 6-0 run as Melgoza scored on a three-point play followed by a three-pointer from Peterson made it a 45-33 game just under a minute later. Peterson would add another three-pointer with 4:31 left to ignite a 5-0 UW run which stretch the Husky lead back to 14 at 50-36 with 2:20 to go in the quarter. The Huskies would get a three-pointer to close out the quarter and led 53-40 through three.

The teams battled back and forth through the first three minutes of the fourth quarter until Rees and Melgoza hit back-to-back buckets to give the Huskies a 61-45 lead with 6:00 to play. Washington took its largest lead of the game on a three-pointer by Watkins, making it 66-50 at the 4:06 mark and despite a late rally by the Buffaloes, the Huskies held on for the 68-58 win.

The victory snapped a five-game losing streak for the Huskies and ended a 13-game Pac-12 losing streak. It was Washington's first conference victory since January 21, 2018 when the Huskies downed Washington State 56-49.

Washington returns to action on Sunday, hosting Utah in a Pac-12 game at Alaska Airlines Arena beginning at 2:00 p.m. It's Seattle Storm Fan Day with special activities include a pregame photo booth with the Seattle Storm's three WNBA championship trophies, in-game recognition of the Seattle Storm CEO and select team owners, a performance by the Seattle Storm Dance Troupe and a special appearance by Storm mascot Doppler. The first 250 fans in attendance will receive a free reversible Seattle Storm/Washington Huskies roller banner.