Washington WBB: Huskies Seek First Win of Conference Play

The Huskies looking for their first win of conference play against Colorado.

After a steady non-conference start, the Huskies have sputtered a little bit – starting off 0-3 in conference play. Currently on a skid of five games, dating back to the championship game of the Husky Classic against Boise State, the Huskies are hoping to get a streak of a different kind started against Colorado at home.

It is important to acknowledge that the record can be rather misleading. Two of the three losses came on the road against ranked opponents; No. 5 Oregon and No. 11 Oregon State. The third loss came in the state rivalry game with Washington State, a game in which Borislava Hristova, a career 18 points per game shooter, dropped 38 points. These things just happen.

THE OPPONENT

The Colorado Buffaloes are in the middle of a skid of their own, losing their first three games of conference play after going 10-1 outside of the PAC-12. Lead by a pair of senior guards, Kennedy Leonard and Alexis Robinson, as well as junior guard, Quinessa Caylao-Do, the Buffaloes play a physical brand of basketball and they frequently get to the line, more than anyone else in the PAC-12. Leonard, who made last year’s All-Conference team, has scored 14.1 points and recorded more than three steals per  game this season.

How Do The Huskies Win?

The Huskies continue to be led by junior guard, Amber Melgoza. After being recognized by the media and being named to the PAC-12 All-Conference team last season as well, Melgoza hasn’t slowed down much of her game. Since conference play opened for the Huskies against Washington State, she’s averaged 23.3 per game, good enough for fourth place in the PAC-12.

Since returning from an ankle injury, sophomore guard Alexis Griggsby has left her mark on the season. In the last two games, Griggsby has scored 41 points on 60% shooting, including an 11-18 clip from beyond the arc. She also managed to add five steals, landing Washington in second place for steals per game since her return.

The best road for success comes through Melgoza and Griggsby. If Griggsby’s shot can continue to fall, while Melgoza works the inside, everyone else can fall into their role; Jenna Moser can help playmake and create turnovers, Darcy Rees can clean up the glass and look to bounce back after her 4-14 shooting performance against Oregon State – Washington simply needs to play Washington basketball.