Takeaway
After averaging 95 points in five home wins, the Washington Huskies came up lame Saturday, taking a 97-83 shredding from the Oakland Golden Grizzles (Rochester, MI.) of the Horizon League at Alaska Airlines Arena (box). Among a rash of deficiencies, UW could not handle junior Kay Felder, a 5-foot-9 dynamo/disrupter in the Nate Robinson mold who rampaged for 38 points and nine assists.
The loss snapped 7-3 Washington’s three-game home win streak and marked UW’s first home defeat this season.
Felder, who came in ranked fifth in the nation in scoring and first in assists, hit 14 of 27 shots, knocking the Huskies out of the game in the first half with a 25-point splurge.
Washington did everything wrong. The Huskies shot 39.5 percent, missed 26 3-point attempts (11-for-37) and were outrebounded 55-39.
If that looks bad, this was worse: Oakland entered the game 7-77 all-time against Power 5- conference teams, including losses in the past 19 in a row. Oakland’s 97 points marked the most by an opponent on UW’s home court since Jan. 24, 1981, when then-No. 1 ranked Oregon State also scored 97.
Essential moment
The Huskies jumped out to a 5-1 lead, but allowed Oakland a 16-1 run. In the first eight minutes, Washington made only 3 of 16 shots while Oakland tallied nine points off turnovers. Oakland pulled ahead 25-10 and extended the lead to as many as 21 in the first half. Out shot and out-rebounded, Washington never responded, getting as close as 10 once in the second half.
Words
“We had a healthy respect for them, but Felder put on a great Isaiah Thomas imitation. He was awfully good. Dejounte Murray did at pretty good job on him in the second half, but they took it to us. We got in foul trouble. There were shots we’ve been knocking down, but they didn’t fall for us. They just beat us soundly. I’m glad the league opener is still two weeks away.” — Lorenzo Romar, UW coach.
Noteworthy
Four Huskies scored in double figures, led by 16 points each from Murray and Matisse Thybulle . . . Andrew Andrews, the Pac-12’s leading scorer at 21 points per game, scored three in the first half on 1-for-7 shooting. He had 15, but went 4-for-14 and missed five 3-pointers . . . Washington’s chances were compromised by foul problems. Freshman Marquese Chriss (12 points) played most of the game with four and Noah Dickerson was in trouble early . . . Oakland’s Jalen Hayes had a double-double with 16 points and 17 rebounds . . . The meeting was the first between Washington and Oakland.
Next
The Huskies play Seattle U. at Alaska Airlines Arena Tuesday at 8 p.m. (Pac-12 Networks).
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="2213182 https://sportspressnw.wpengine.com/?p=2213182">5 Comments
How can one describe the embarrassment of losing to none other than the mighty Golden Grizzlies of the feared Horizon League?
Someday the Huskies will be coached by someone who actually teaches the players defensive skills and how to run plays on offense. Watching the uncontrolled Huskies each year is simply watching playground ball and it results in no better than a middling record.
Hopefully this is the year Woodward wakes up and finds a coach who actually coaches and teaches the players skills necessary to win. Romar recruited a fine class yet due to uninspired coaching that is less than D1 quality, this team will finish out of the running once again.
Don’t expect anything from Woodward. He’s too busy firing legendary crew coaches.
How many more of these types of losses (Stony Brook, South Dakota St., et al) are Husky fans willing to put up with?