Terrence Ross, who lit up Washington State with 26 of his 30 points in the second half Sunday, was named Pac-12 Player of the Week — the first time in UW history three players have won the conference weekly award in the same season.
C.J. Wilcox (Nov. 14) and Tony Wroten (Jan. 2) won the award earlier this season.
Ross, a sophomore from Portland, sparked the Huskies in a pair of wins over in-state opponents Seattle University (91-83) and the Cougars (75-65). Ross averaged 21 points, 10 rebounds, two steals, one block and 1.5 assists.
Against Seattle U, he scored 12 points, grabbed 6 rebounds and hit both 3-point attempts in 25 minutes. He was saddled with four fouls early in the second half and watched from the bench as UW squandered a 14-point lead before holding on.
Ross stepped up his game Sunday in the absence of the team’s second-leading scorer and top outside threat C.J. Wilcox with career highs in points (30) and rebounds (14). Both were seasons highs for Washington.
“You know, some games youre going to have off nights,” said Abdul Gaddy of his teammate. “He didnt even start really well, but all of a sudden, he got going. Hes difficult to stop when he gets going, whether youre guarding him close and everything. Hes just difficult to stop.”
Ross rebounded from a cold first half where WSU’s zone confounded him and his teammates. He was 1-for-9 shooting (1-for-5 from 3-point range), 1-for-4 from the line and had four points. He heated up in the second half — 8-for-12 from the field, including 5-of-7 from 3-point range and hit all five free throws.
His board work helped Washington helped to a 46-24 advantage, including 22-4 on the offensive end.
Washington trailed 47-37 with 12:16 remaining before going on a 26-6 run to put the Cougars away. Ross hit three 3-pointer during that stretch and capped the rally with a monster alley-oop slam in which he was fouled.
This is Ross’s first career Player of the Week honor and the 44th all-time selection for Washington.
Washington (4-1, 11-6) hosts Cal at 5:30 Thursday and Stanford at 3 p.m. Saturday.