SEATTLE (Interstat) — The Washington Huskies delivered an offensive clinic in a 105-69 rout of the Southern Utah Thunderbirds in men’s basketball Saturday at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Washington built a 53-33 halftime lead and never relented, shooting 52.2% from the floor and committing only two turnovers. The Huskies’ efficiency was stark, scoring 105 points on 70 possessions. Southern Utah, which shot just 45.3% and 5 of 10 from the free-throw line, was led by Elijah Duval’s 18 points. Washington had six players score in double figures, with Hannes Steinbach and Wesley Yates each contributing 14 points. The Huskies improved to 7-3, while the Thunderbirds fell to 4-8 before an announced crowd of 5,516.

SEATTLE (Interstat) — The Washington Huskies delivered a commanding and efficient performance Saturday night, overwhelming the Southern Utah Thunderbirds 105-69 in a nonconference men’s basketball game at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. From the opening tip, Washington established a dominant tempo that Southern Utah could never disrupt. The Huskies built a 20-point lead by halftime, 53-33, and continued to expand it in the second half before a crowd of 5,516. The victory improved Washington’s record to 7-3, while Southern Utah fell to 4-8. The most decisive phase of the game occurred in the final minutes of the first half. Leading 43-33 with under two minutes to play, Washington unleashed a devastating 10-0 run to close the period, transforming a comfortable lead into a commanding 53-33 advantage at the break. The sequence was fueled by Washington’s relentless defense, which forced two critical Southern Utah turnovers. Guard Quimari Peterson of Gary, Indiana, recorded a steal that led to a fast-break tip-in by Bryson Tucker. After another Thunderbirds turnover, Peterson found JJ Mandaquit for a 3-pointer. Peterson then stole the ball again on the ensuing inbound play and immediately assisted Mandaquit for another 3-pointer just before the halftime buzzer. That flurry encapsulated Washington’s superior execution and effectively put the game out of reach. Washington’s offensive performance was a model of efficiency. The Huskies scored 105 points on just 70 possessions, translating to an elite offensive rating of 143.0. They shot 52.2% from the field (36 of 69) and 43.5% from 3-point range (10 of 23), while also converting 78.3% of their free throws (18 of 23). Equally impressive was their care with the ball, committing only two turnovers against 11 for Southern Utah. The Huskies also won the rebounding battle 40-31, including 12 offensive boards. Southern Utah, by contrast, struggled to find consistent offense. The Thunderbirds posted an offensive rating of 97.5, shooting 45.3% from the field (29 of 64) but a frigid 28.6% from beyond the arc (6 of 21). They also made only 5 of 10 free throws. Elijah Duval led Southern Utah with 18 points and six assists in 35 minutes. Tanner Hayhurst added 16 points, and Isaiah Cottrell scored 13. Washington’s attack was balanced and potent. Hannes Steinbach, a 6-foot-11 forward from Wurzburg, Germany, led all scorers with 22 points on 10-of-12 shooting, adding three assists and a block. Wesley Yates from Beaumont, Texas, scored 14 points, all in the second half, including four 3-pointers. Mandaquit, from Hilo, Hawaii, provided a crucial spark off the bench with 11 points and five assists, all in just 18 minutes. Tucker contributed 12 points, Zoom Diallo had 10 points and four assists, and Desmond Claude added 12 points. The Huskies’ defensive pressure was a constant, registering four steals and five blocks while holding Southern Utah to one of its lower scoring outputs of the season. The Thunderbirds’ previous game was a 70-81 loss at Oregon State on Dec. 6. Washington entered the game as a heavy favorite, with a pregame spread of -25.5 and a projected win probability of 96.90% according to National Statistical’s ELO system. The total score of 174 far exceeded the over/under line of 149.5. Southern Utah next plays at Northern Arizona on Thursday. Washington will travel across town to face Seattle University on Friday.

Preview: Southern Utah at Washington SEATTLE (Interstat) — The Washington Huskies look to continue their strong start to the season when they host the struggling Southern Utah Thunderbirds in a nonconference men’s basketball game Saturday at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Washington (6-3) enters the matchup coming off an 84-76 road victory over Southern California on Dec. 6, a win that snapped a two-game skid. The Huskies have been led by the hot shooting of guard Hannes Steinbach, who is averaging 26.5 points over his last two games. He scored 24 points against the Trojans and had a season-high 29 in a narrow 82-80 loss to UCLA on Dec. 3. Southern Utah (4-7) seeks to steady itself after a 70-81 loss at Oregon State last Saturday. The Thunderbirds have lost five of their last seven games, with all four of their wins coming at home or against non-Division I opposition. Their road record stands at 1-6. The matchup features two of the nation’s more productive guards. Steinbach’s scoring surge has been vital for Washington. For Southern Utah, Jaiden Feroah is coming off a career performance, scoring 27 points with five assists in the loss at Oregon State. Feroah has scored in double figures in eight of 11 games this season and will be the focal point of the Thunderbirds’ offense. Washington has shown resilience at home, boasting a 4-1 record in Seattle this season. Southern Utah’s lone road win was a 70-68 victory at Stetson on Nov. 29. This game serves as a final tune-up for both teams before their upcoming conference slates. Washington begins a daunting Big Ten schedule in early January, while Southern Utah opens Western Athletic Conference play on Dec. 18. The Huskies hold a clear advantage in record and home-court strength, but will need to contain Feroah to avoid a setback. Southern Utah aims to find consistency and secure a statement road win before returning to league play. Tipoff is set for Saturday afternoon.