University of Washington
16-4,6-3Big Ten
Rutgers
9-11,1-8Big Ten
No. 25 Washington Women’s Basketball Takes Down Rutgers, 76-48
January 26, 2026 | Women's Basketball
PISCATAWAY, N.J. — The No. 25 Washington women's basketball team (16-4, 6-3 Big Ten) stifled Rutgers defensively as it took a 76-48 victory on Monday at Jersey Mike's Arena.
The Scarlet Knights' 48 points were the lowest by a Big Ten opponent against Washington this season. Rutgers finished the game shooting just 32.2% from the field and 21.1% from behind the 3-point line.
Washington was a force to be reckoned with down low, pulling down 51 rebounds and recording 36 points in the paint. Its 51 boards were the second-most of the season for UW and delivered a plus 21 rebounding margin. The Scarlet Knights, meanwhile, recorded just 14 points in the paint. Yulia Grabovskaia pulled down a career-high 17 rebounds — the most by a Husky this season and the highest mark by a Dawg since Jan. 21, 2018.
The Huskies finished with three players recording double digits. UW was led by freshman forward Brynn McGaughy, who recorded her highest scoring total in Big Ten play with 17 points and seven rebounds. It's the most points by a Husky freshman in conference play since Sayvia Sellers notched 20 against Arizona on Feb. 18, 2024.
Sophomore Avery Howell registered 16 points and seven rebounds. It's her 15th game this season with 10 or more points. Salvia Sellers added 11 points and a game-leading six assists.
Washington opened the game with an early 20-12 lead in the first quarter, holding Rutgers without a 3-point make in the opening frame. Howell and Elle Ladine led with five points apiece, while Grabovskaia pulled down five early boards.
Sellers exploded offensively in the second quarter, knocking down three 3-pointers en route to nine points with an assist and a block. The Huskies shot 50 percent from behind the arc to extend the lead to 43-20 entering the break.
UW pulled away in the third quarter with 12 points in the paint. With 4:22 left in the frame, Grabovskaia knocked down a free throw to cap off a 9-0 run for the Huskies, while adding another six rebounds to her stat line. Howell contributed another five points and the Huskies entered the final frame leading by 23.
From there, the Scarlet Knights managed just nine points in the fourth quarter. Junior Chloe Briggs made a statement late, adding five points, four rebounds, and an assist. McGaughy added four more points and two rebounds to cap off a stellar day.
Washington improves to 16-4 on the season and prepares to face No. 16 Maryland in the XFINITY Center in College Park, Maryland on Wednesday, Jan. 28. The game will stream on B1G+.
Continue to check GoHuskies.com and follow the team's social media accounts (@UW_WBB) for the most up-to-date information on Washington women's basketball.
