SEATTLE – The Washington women’s basketball team (9-4, 1-2) took it down to the wire, but fell in the end to No. 11 Utah (14-0, 3-0) 53-61 on Sunday afternoon in Alaska Airlines Arena.
In a game that saw 13 lead changes, the Huskies battled a tough Utah team. Utah was the first ranked opponent Washington faced this season, and came into the game undefeated. Looking for an upset, the Huskies never let up.
“I’m proud of our team for the way we turned around after [Friday],” head coach Tina Langley said. “I thought we saw a lot of growth in our team today.”
After the first quarter, the game was tied up at 13. The Huskies played tough, and put in a great effort. At halftime, Washington trailed by just two, 25-27. The 27 points scored by Utah was the first time the Utes had scored below 30 in a half all season.
Washington came out hot in the second half, and at the end of the third quarter, led 38-37. Down by three with only 1:30 left in the fourth, the upset was in sight, but Utah ultimately came away with the win.
Lauren Schwartz led the Huskies in scoring with 17 points. The other Washington player in double digits was Dalayah Daniels, who finished with her eighth career double-double, and fourth as a Husky, with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Freshman Teagan Brown recorded a career high three steals. Haley Van Dyke surpassed 1,000 career points.
“Just excited for the future,” Schwartz said. “You can see that we’re capable.”
The Husky defense was relentless.
Held Utah to their lowest field goal percentage (35.7%) and lowest scoring all season. Coming into the game, the Utes had been shooting 51.9% on average, with their previous low being 42.1% in their season opener. Prior to Sunday’s game, the lowest points scored had been 69 vs. Ole Miss.
“I’m proud of our team for their fight,” Daniels said. “I’m excited for our next challenge.”
Next Up: Washington travels to Pullman to face Washington State in the second matchup of the Boeing Apple Cup Series this season. The game tips off Sunday, Jan. 8 at 12 p.m.