SEATTLE (Interstat) — Sayvia Sellers scored 23 points to lead Washington to a 67-54 victory over Minnesota in a women’s basketball game Sunday at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. The Huskies used a decisive 26-point third quarter to pull away after leading 30-27 at halftime. Mara Braun led Minnesota with 18 points. Washington improved to 14-4 overall, while the Golden Gophers fell to 12-6. A crowd of 3,509 watched the Huskies dominate inside, outscoring Minnesota 44-18 in the paint.

SEATTLE (Interstat) — A dominant third-quarter surge propelled by Sayvia Sellers lifted the Washington Huskies to a 67-54 victory over the Minnesota Golden Gophers in a Big Ten women’s basketball game Sunday at a raucous Hec Edmundson Pavilion. A crowd of 3,509 watched as the Huskies, improving to 14-4 overall, used a decisive 26-17 advantage in the third period to break open a tight contest and snap a two-game conference skid. The Golden Gophers, who led by four after the first quarter, fell to 12-6. The game’s pivotal sequence began with Washington clinging to a 30-27 halftime lead. The Huskies emerged from the locker room with renewed defensive intensity and offensive purpose. Over the first six minutes of the third quarter, they engineered a 13-4 run that transformed a three-point game into a 43-31 command. The Huskies’ interior dominance was a key factor, as they finished the game with a staggering 44 points in the paint compared to Minnesota’s 18. Sellers, a 5-foot-7 guard from Anchorage, Alaska, was the catalyst. She scored 11 of her game-high 23 points in the third quarter, attacking the basket and facilitating for teammates. Her driving layup at the 9:07 mark ignited the run, and she later capped it with a steal and a transition layup that forced a Minnesota timeout. Sellers added four assists and a block in 32 minutes of action, continuing a strong stretch of play that has seen her average over 19 points per game in her last four outings. Minnesota, which had battled back from an early deficit to lead 17-13 after one quarter, found its offense stifled by Washington’s length and pressure. The Huskies converted 11 points off Golden Gopher turnovers and protected the rim effectively. Washington’s 6-foot-3 forward Brynn McGaughy of Spokane and 6-foot-5 post Yulia Grabovskaia from Russia provided crucial interior presence, combining for 16 points and altering numerous shots. The Golden Gophers were led by guard Mara Braun of Wayzata, Minnesota, who fought for 18 points on 7-of-17 shooting. Amaya Battle of Hopkins, Minnesota, added 12 points and three assists, while Grace Grocholski of North Prairie, Wisconsin, chipped in 11 points. Minnesota’s offense, however, became stagnant in the second half, managing only 10 points in the final quarter as Washington extended its lead. Washington’s balanced attack saw significant contributions beyond Sellers. Hannah Stines of La Mirada, California, scored 11 points, while Grabovskaia, McGaughy, and Elle Ladine of San Francisco each added eight points. The Huskies’ ball movement and defensive rotations in the third quarter proved the difference, holding Minnesota to just 3-of-12 shooting from the field during their game-breaking run. The victory was a critical bounce-back for Washington following consecutive losses to Purdue and Michigan State. The Huskies now look ahead to a Wednesday home matchup against Penn State. Minnesota, which has lost two of its last three, continues a challenging West Coast road trip at Oregon on Wednesday. According to National Statistical’s ELO system, Washington entered the game with a 58.80 percent probability to win, a projection they fulfilled with their second-half execution. The win solidifies the Huskies’ position in the upper tier of the conference as the season nears its midpoint.

Preview: Minnesota Visits Washington in Key Big Ten Clash SEATTLE (Interstat) — Two ranked teams riding opposite momentum swings will meet Sunday when the Minnesota Golden Gophers visit the Washington Huskies in a pivotal Big Ten women’s basketball matchup at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. The Huskies (13-4, 3-2 Big Ten) enter fresh off an impressive 82-63 road victory at then-Indiana on Wednesday. Guard Elle Ladine led the charge with 19 points and four assists, continuing her strong season. Washington has won four of its last five, with the lone loss in that span coming in overtime at Purdue. Conversely, the Golden Gophers (12-5, 2-3) are looking to rebound from a decisive 76-58 home loss to UCLA on the same night. Standout guard Amaya Battle scored 16 points in that contest, but Minnesota struggled defensively, allowing the Bruins to shoot 51% from the field. This game features a compelling backcourt duel between Battle and Ladine. Battle, Minnesota’s engine, is averaging 11.2 points and 4.1 assists per game but is coming off a season-high 38 minutes in the loss. Ladine provides dynamic scoring for Washington, posting 14.2 points per game and coming off her second 20-point performance in the last month against Northwestern on Dec. 29. The Huskies hold a slight edge in the standings and will benefit from home court, where they are 8-1 this season. Their offense has been potent, averaging 75.2 points per game. Minnesota, which averages 71.2 points, must improve its defensive focus after the UCLA defeat and find consistent scoring support for Battle and leading scorer Mara Braun (16.9 ppg). History adds intrigue, as this is the first meeting between the programs as Big Ten conference foes following recent realignment. The outcome will be crucial for early positioning in the crowded conference race. Sunday’s tipoff is set for 2 p.m. PST. Washington visits Penn State next Wednesday, while Minnesota continues its road trip at Oregon.