The Huskies didn’t just beat Mississippi Valley State on Monday - they turned the game into a three-point showcase and rewrote their own record book in the process.
In a 77-64 home win, Washington set a program mark for 3-pointers attempted, topping the previous high of 37 from a 2015 game against Oakland. They got there early in the second half, then finished by tying the school record for 3-pointers made with 17.
Steele Venters led the long-range barrage with five makes from deep, part of a 13-attempt night from beyond the arc. He also added two rebounds.
Parker Friederichsen gave the Huskies their biggest scoring punch off the bench, finishing with a team-high 17 points on 6-for-14 shooting and 5-for-11 from three. Ryan Beasley added 16 points on 6-for-11 shooting, hit four threes, and pulled down 10 rebounds for a double-double.
At 5-foot-11, Beasley’s work on the glass stood out, including in front of Isaiah Thomas, the former UW guard who was making his debut assignment for the Big Ten Network.
Washington’s rebounding edge was one of the quieter reasons the night never truly slipped away. The Huskies won that battle 46-25, and a stretch in the second half from 15:44 to 13:06 featured eight team rebounds. That kind of effort helped keep extra possessions flowing and fed the perimeter attack.
The game was close enough early to give Mississippi Valley State a look at an opening, and AJ Abrams did his part to keep the Delta Devils in it with 20 points and six rebounds. Tymias Williams added seven points and eight boards, and after his pair of free throws cut the margin to four, Washington answered with 13 straight points to seize control.
The Huskies had made it clear before the season that they wanted to be more aggressive from deep, and Monday’s game showed exactly what that looks like when it clicks. Head coach Danny Sprinkle said, “I liked the threes we were getting, but we need to make more of them. We had 4 or 5 that were in and out.”
There were chances to push the made-three total even higher late, though the final shot never came together the way Isaiah Thomas wanted when he hoped BJ Roy would fire away. With the shot clock off, Thomas later acknowledged it probably wasn’t going to happen.
Still, the night gave Washington a clear snapshot of what this version of the Huskies can be when the perimeter opens up. Mississippi Valley State’s defense allowed the big men to draw doubles, and the kick-outs kept producing clean looks from the outside. The result was a record-setting volume of threes and a comfortable win that was tighter early than it was by the end.
Washington next faces Utah on November 14, while Mississippi Valley State plays Oregon on Wednesday.
In Other News...
Washington Just Added A Future Test Fans Will Be Talking About
Washingtons football calendar just got a little more interesting, with the Huskies adding a future nonconference matchup that should carry plenty of national weight when it finally arrives. The agreement comes as coaches and players have been meeting with the media to assess recent performances and talk through the ongoing work of player development, a reminder that the program is balancing present-day progress with long-range planning.
For a fan base that already has plenty to follow across campus, the timing fits neatly into a busy stretch for UW Athletics. The womens tennis team is in the NCAA tournament, the mens soccer team is in the Big Ten semifinals, and the football program now has another marquee date on the horizon to circle and revisit over the next several seasons. [Read more 🡒]
Ryan Walters Owns Costly Huskies Mistake With Bowl Hopes Still Alive
Washingtons loss to Penn State on Nov. 7 still had one sequence lingering long after the final whistle, because a late defensive miscue helped swing the closing minutes of a game the Huskies needed to have. With bowl eligibility still in reach, every detail matters now, and the kind of mistake that extends a drive and burns precious time can loom even larger in November.
Defensive coordinator Ryan Walters owned the breakdown, taking responsibility for the miscommunication that put Washington in that spot. The Huskies now have three games left to get to bowl eligibility, which leaves little margin for the sort of lapse that can turn a winnable finish into another missed opportunity. [Read more 🡒]
Chris Lawson Is Becoming A Bigger Deal For Washington At The Right Time
Chris Lawsons rise has given Washington a timely boost on offense, and the recognition is starting to match the production. The second-year wide receiver was added to the Biletnikoff Award watchlist, a sign that his season is drawing attention well beyond Seattle as he continues to lead the Huskies in receiving yards and serve as one of the most reliable pieces in the passing game.
For a team still chasing bowl eligibility, Lawsons emergence matters in more than one way. Washington needs one more win to get there, and having a receiver who has become a central part of the offense gives the Huskies a better chance to finish strong while also putting Lawson in the conversation with the nations top pass catchers. [Read more 🡒]