Huskies Earn Dominant 72-54 Win, Advance In Big Dance

Friday, March 20

Fort Worth, Texas

11:30 a.m. PT

University of Washington

22-10,10-8Big Ten

South Dakota State

27-7,14-2Summit League

South Dakota St.

Washington

March 20, 2026 | Women's Basketball

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FORT WORTH, TEXAS — The sixth-seeded Huskies earned a dominant 72-54 win over No. 11 seed South Dakota State on Friday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Huskies earned their first win in March Madness since the 2016-17 season.

Avery Howell delivered an outstanding performance, finishing with 30 points, nine rebounds, and a career-high 7 3-pointers made. Her seven made shots from deep moves her into a tie for third most in a single game by a player in March Madness. The All-Big Ten Honorable Mention became the first Husky since Kelsey Plum to record at least 30 points in an NCAA Tournament game.

Howell helped pour it on in an impressive third quarter for Washington — knocking down all three shots she took, all of which came from behind the 3-point line. To cap it off, she recorded six of her rebounds in the frame and an assist.

Both Howell and Brynn McGaughy finished in double figures for the fifth time in the last six games. McGaughy finished the afternoon with 14 points, four rebounds, and two steals.

The Huskies (22-10) took control in the second quarter, outscoring the Jackrabbits (27-7) 23 to 9 to extend the lead to double-digits entering the break.

Sayvia Sellers matched her career-high with 10 assists, while also contributing five rebounds, three steals, and a block. She now sits just three assists shy of the most in a season since Plum in 2016-17.

Washington finished with an assist on 21 of its 27 buckets, a mark that sets a new season-high. In addition to Sellers' 10, Hannah Stines and Elle Ladine each delivered another four dimes for the Dawgs.

The Huskies received scoring from a variety of different options on Friday, with seven different players recording at least four points. Yulia Grabovskaia delivered eight, Devin Coppinger added six, Elle Ladine and Hannah Stines recorded another five, and Sellers notched four points.

The Huskies were also a force to be reckoned with defensively, forcing 18 turnovers from the Jackrabbits — a total that amounted to the fourth-most this season for South Dakota State. Washington notched 13 steals to help generate some early momentum and stretch the lead. Sellers and Grabovskaia led the team with three steals apiece.

Washington won another rebounding battle on Friday, outrebounding South Dakota State 40 to 25. 14 of those boards were offensive rebounds, which the Huskies turned into 14 second chance points. UW also finished with 36 points in the paint.

With the win, Washington now faces No. 3 seed TCU on Sunday in the Round of 32 at a time to be determined.

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.