Freshman Nigel Williams-Goss and sophomore Andrew Andrews each tallied 18 points and factored heavily in a second-half run that carried Washington to a 95-80 non-conference victory over Mississippi Valley State Friday night at Alaska Airlines Arena. The Huskies improved to 7-5 and close out their non-league schedule Sunday against the University of Hartford.
Washington shut down the Delta Devils over a five-minute span of the second half in an 18-0 run to break the game open. Washington began to pull away at the 12:40 mark as Williams-Goss and Andrews relentlessly attacked the basket and senior Perris Blackwell dominated the boards. Blackwell finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
Led by Blackwell, the Huskies enjoyed a 51-29 rebounding advantage. Washington also clamped down on Mississippi Valley’s 3-point shooting in the final 20 minutes, holding the Delta Devils to 2-for-19 shooting after they made 5-for-10 in the first half.
The Huskies had a hard time with the visitors in the first half, taking a 39-35 lead. With a quick start to the second half, Mississippi Valley erased a 10-point deficit to tie at 54. But the Huskies ran away with the game.
Williams-Goss made 8 of 14 and Andrews 5 of 10 shots. Williams-Goss also had five assists. C.J. Wilcox, Washington’s leading scorer, posted a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds but uncharacteristically did not make a 3-pointer.
Anthony McDonald led Mississippi Valley of the Southwestern Athletic Conference with 19 points and Jeffrey Simmons contributed 16.
The game attracted an announced crowed 6,351 fans on a night when Washington’s football team defeated BYU 31-16 in the Fight Hunger Bowl in San Francisco.
1 Comment
Finally get to see some numbers in the rebounds column. Plus everyone got to play. One thing I do like is no one took more than 3 three point shots and only CJ took that many. Granted it’s how the game is played but sometimes I wish it was never added to the game. Unless, of course, the Huskies are hitting them! Nice all around game by CJ.