University of Washington
5-3,0-0Pac-12
Montana State
3-5,0-0Big Sky
Huskies Take Care Of Montana State At Home
December 05, 2023 | Men's Basketball
SEATTLE (AP) -- Franck Kepnang finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds to lead Washington to an 85-61 victory over Montana State on Tuesday night at Alaska Airlines Arena.
"The guys did a really good job defensively," Coach Mike Hopkins said. "Montana State is a good team. That was something we worked on so I was just proud of our guys."
Kepnang made 7 of 11 shots and blocked three at the other end for the Huskies (5-3). It was his first double-double this season and the second of the senior's career. Sahvir Wheeler had 14 points and five assists and recorded his 700th career assist.
Reserves Koren Johnson and Anthony Holland scored 13 and 11, respectively. Johnson shot 6 for 11 and Holland made all three of his three-pointers and both of his free throws.
Keion Brooks Jr. scored all nine of his points in the first half and Johnson also scored nine to lead Washington to its largest halftime lead of the season at 43-28. Montana State had one lead in the game at 20-19 on a three-pointer by Goracke at the 10:03 mark. Johnson answered with a jumper and Holland followed with a three-pointer and the Huskies never trailed again. They used a 15-0 run to build the big lead.
Yeah that was nice https://t.co/PKMidOiSE1 pic.twitter.com/Xoa3PHsPHn
— Washington Men's Basketball (@UW_MBB) December 6, 2023
Washington scored the first six points of the second half and took their biggest lead at 71-38 on a basket by Wheeler with 9:59 left to play.
The Huskies shot 52.5% overall and made half of their 16 shots from beyond the arc. They held the Bobcats to 38.9% and 9 of 31 from distance.
Paul Mulcahy recorded his 500th career assist on the final UW basket of the game.
Washington will host seventh-ranked Gonzaga on Saturday. It is a Purple Out at Alaska Airlines Arena. The game is sold out. Fans can purchase tickets via SeatGeek, the official ticket marketplace of Washington Athletics.
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