Preview: Washington Faces Southern California in Early Big Ten Test LOS ANGELES (Interstat) — The undefeated and top-ranked Washington Huskies put their perfect record on the line Sunday against the Southern California Women of Troy in an early-season Big Ten Conference women’s basketball showdown at Galen Center. Washington (8-0) enters as one of the nation’s last remaining unbeaten teams, boasting an average margin of victory of 24.6 points. The Huskies are coming off an 80-54 rout of San Jose State on Monday, led by a season-high 29 points from sophomore guard Sayvia Sellers. Sellers has been the catalyst for Washington’s high-powered offense, averaging 19.1 points and 3.9 assists per game. She has scored 22 or more points in four of her last six contests, including a 30-point performance in a key road win at Utah on Nov. 15. Southern California (6-2), receiving votes in the latest AP Top 25 poll, has rebounded from a two-game skid in mid-November with three consecutive dominant wins. The Women of Troy routed Saint Mary’s 79-33 on Tuesday, with guard Kara Dunn scoring 15 points. Dunn, a transfer, leads the team in scoring at 13.4 points per game and has provided a consistent offensive spark. The matchup pits Washington’s stifling defense, which allows just 50.1 points per game, against a USC squad averaging 72.6 points. The Huskies’ length has been disruptive, registering 6.1 blocks per contest. This game marks the conference opener for both teams in their inaugural Big Ten season. It represents USC’s most significant test since narrow losses to then-Notre Dame (61-59) and top-ranked South Carolina (69-52) last month. For Washington, it is the start of a challenging stretch that will define its contender status. “This is why we joined this league,” Washington coach Tina Langley said. “Every night is a battle, and going into a venue like Galen Center against a talented team like USC is exactly the challenge we need.” USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb emphasized the opportunity. “Washington is playing as well as anyone in the country,” she said. “It’s a great gauge for us. We need to be disciplined and match their physicality.” The game is scheduled for a 2 p.m. PST tip-off on Sunday, Dec. 7.