Huskies Dominate San Jose State to Cap Off Perfect Homestand, Move to 8-0
SEATTLE - The Washington Huskies women’s basketball team is rolling, and Monday night was just the latest example. With an 80-54 win over San Jose State, the No. 21-ranked Huskies closed out their five-game homestand in emphatic fashion, improving to a perfect 8-0 on the season.
This wasn’t just a win-it was a statement. Washington has now won all five of its home games by at least 17 points, with an average margin of victory sitting just shy of 24. That’s the kind of dominance that turns heads, and it’s clear this team is building something serious under head coach Tina Langley.
But even in a 26-point victory, Langley saw areas for growth.
“I think we started out fairly strong,” Langley said postgame. “Then we, again, let someone back in a little bit. So I think it's just the consistency... just being in the moment, focused on the process and not getting loose with what we're doing.”
That early inconsistency showed in the first quarter. Washington jumped out to a 13-2 lead, but San Jose State clawed back with an 8-1 run to close the quarter, trimming the Huskies’ lead to just 14-10. It was a reminder that even with superior talent, lapses in focus can open the door.
But once the second quarter began, the Huskies slammed that door shut.
Washington outscored the Spartans 26-11 in the second frame, flipping a close game into a 40-21 halftime lead. From that point on, the Huskies never looked back.
At the heart of it all was junior guard Sayvia Sellers. Washington’s leading scorer was in full command, putting together a complete performance that showcased her scoring touch, poise, and leadership.
Sellers poured in 29 points on 9-of-16 shooting, including five made threes and a perfect 6-for-6 from the line. She also chipped in six rebounds, three assists, a block, and a steal-doing a little bit of everything.
After the game, Sellers credited her teammates for helping her get into a rhythm.
“We were talking about it in our [closed meeting] before the coaches got in,” she said. “I thought the bigs did a really good job setting screens and the guards did, too.
So I thought I was able to get open in a lot more action. And being confident, shooting the ball well.”
Sellers wasn’t alone in lighting it up. Sophomore Avery Howell added 17 points, knocking down four triples and filling the stat sheet with six rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and two steals. Freshman forward Brynn McGaughy continued her strong start to the season with 15 points, eight rebounds, four blocks, and a pair of assists.
San Jose State did manage to fight back in the third quarter, outscoring Washington 25-23 in that frame. But the Huskies’ first-half cushion proved too steep to climb. Washington tightened things up defensively in the fourth, holding the Spartans to just eight points while pulling away for the 26-point win.
With non-conference play nearing its end, things are about to get real for the Huskies. Next up: a Big Ten road test against No. 16 USC on December 7 at the Galen Center in Los Angeles.
Langley knows it’s early, but she sees these challenges as opportunities to sharpen her team.
“Really early in the season, non-conference,” she said. “It’s always an interesting time to play a conference game in the middle of your non-conference [schedule]... but that’s why we play the games, so it can keep giving us information that will help us grow as we move forward.”
The Huskies are off to a blazing start, but the road ahead will demand even more. Monday night showed what this team is capable of when it’s locked in. Now the question becomes: can they keep that same edge as the competition ramps up?
We’re about to find out.