Complete Team Effort Spurs Huskies To 78-61 Win Over Utah

SEATTLE  – Haley Van Dyke and Quay Miller combined for 36 points to lead Washington to its most complete effort in Pac-12 play and a 78-61 win over Utah on Friday night at Alaska Airlines Arena.
 
While Van Dyke and Miller were the stars of the night, nine different Huskies scored and made significant contributions throughout the night.
 
Washington (6-11, 3-11 Pac-12) had it going on both ends of the court and led from start to finish to win for the second time in three games. It marked the first time fans were allowed into Alaska Airlines Arena this season and the team did not disappoint the home crowd.
 
"It was fun to hear them," coach Jody Wynn said of the fans. "I had to turn around one time because I heard them going nuts. I turned around and celebrated with them.
 
"It means so much to our girls."
 
The Huskies, who wore pink on white uniforms in honor of breast cancer awareness, played inspired basketball and moved the ball well all night. The movement led to easy baskets and open three's and contributed to the team's most points since Dec. 13 vs. Portland, which was also their last home win.
 
"We valued the ball," Wynn said, which helped the Huskies go 8 of 16 from 3-point range and sent them to the free line 24 times, where they converted 20 attempts.
 
"Having only 13 turnovers is really positive for us because it allowed us to get shot attempts. I thought we did a nice job of taking what the defense gave us and not really forcing action."
 
The Huskies also outrebounded the significantly taller Utes, 42-34, and forced 16 turnovers that led to a 19-8 points-off-turnovers advantage.
 
Van Dyke established a new career high with 22 points and was also her usual self with three steals and six rebounds, to go along with four assists. Her effort left Wynn marveling at her play.
 
"She doesn't stop moving offensively or defensively. She gives you everything she's got every possession. She was beautiful to watch," Wynn said.
 
Miller tallied her third double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds. The sophomore also had three steals.
 
In all, seven Huskies had six or more points on the night.
 
The Huskies played their most complete half of basketball to start the game and took a 41-31 lead into the locker room at the break. All nine Huskies that saw action scored, led by 10 from Van Dyke.
 
The second quarter was just a continuation of the first, where Washington stormed out of the gates, shooting 61.5 percent – including 4 of 4 from three-point territory to take an eight-point lead, 23-15.
 
The second quarter was back-and-forth, with the Utes getting as close as three points, but Washington had an answer for every spurt and led by as much as 11 before settling for a 10-point halftime advantage.
 
Brynna Maxwell hit a three-pointer to start the third quarter, part of her team-high 16 points for Utah (5-14, 4-14), but Washington answered back with the next six points to expand its lead to 13. Utah closed the gap to seven, 53-46, with 3:27 to go, but Washington would score the final eight points of the third to lead by 15 heading to the fourth quarter.
 
The Utes would get within nine points in the fourth quarter but UW expanded its lead to 19 with a 7-0 run, and ultimately went home with a 17-point victory.
 
"Forty minutes of focus," Wynn said. "I talked about how proud I am of it being a total team effort and it started with their focus this week in practice."
 
The Huskies wrap up the home portion of their schedule on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. when they face Colorado.