Dawgs Beat Beavers 76-70 in Close Game

The Huskies survived a hard fought game in their Pac 10 season opener against the Oregon State Beavers, 76-70. Quincy Pondexter and Isaiah Thomas led the way, Pondexter with 20 and Thomas with 19. The Beavers were well coached by Coach Robinson, who had his team fighting the whole night.

The Dawgs came out lackadaisical in the first part of the first half. The Beavers came out strong with a 10-4 run. The Huskies came back getting good ball play from Pondexter, Venoy Overton, and Thomas. All three players led the way in the first half, while the Beavers stuck to their game plan.

Both teams forced each other to 17 turnovers. Overton made every guard that tried to dribble the ball almost look impossible at one point. Overton got hit with a couple of elbows that the referees didn’t see that got the Husky faithful husky crowed riled up. Venoy then turned up the intensity and had back to back steals. He finished the game with 13 points and 4 steals.

Venoy also had 4 turnovers, as did Quincy who added 10 boards. Thomas added another 4 TO’s and Abdul Gaddy had three, but on the positive side contributed a team leading 5 assists. Matthew Bryan-Amaning had a steady 8 points, but he and Tyreese Breshers each blocked 2 shots, which really helped the Huskies cause.

Thomas really came out to play, which helped the Huskies get over the hump in the first half to a ten point lead at halftime. Thomas shot real well from the floor hitting a couple 3’s in the half. Pondexter scored a quiet 20 tonight by getting to the line and converting 10-12.

This game had a lot of emotions flying around from the fans, coaches, and players. Both coaches seemed like they weren’t too happy with the refs and neither were the players. The Dawgs took that and ran with it into the halftime.

After halftime the Beavers came out in the second half the in the 3-2 zone. The Huskies, who have been having trouble against the zone showed some signs of breaking it, but at the same time let the Beavers hang around.

Calvin Hayes and Roeland Schaftenaar led the Beavers with 16 and 15 points. Omari Johnson chipped in with 10 points as well for the Beavers. Oregon State just couldn’t make any big runs to come back in the second half. They contended with heart trying to make a comeback and giving the Dawgs everything they had.

Even with zone at full force, the Dawgs with held the resiliency of the Beavers. Thomas and Pondexter were too much down the stretch. UW appeared to be in control mentally, even when they were seriously challenged, which was a good sign.

It wasn’t easy and it wasn’t pretty but the Dawgs survived their first test. They will be facing an Oregon Duck team Saturday at 2PM (PST) that just came off a strong 91-89 double overtime win against the Cougars in Pullman.

Key Observations

Abdul Gaddy had 5 assists tonight and wasn’t really in foul trouble. He could’ve had about 3 more assists if some players finished plays.

M.B.A. had a decent game, nothing to be excited about. He had some plays where he could finish with an easy dunk but chose to make it hard for himself.

Overton the rate he is going will be a no-brainer for defensive player of the year.

Pondexter is making it look too easy at times getting to any spot on the floor he wants.

Thomas looked real nice and is becoming an overall player facilitating and letting the game come to him.

The Dawgs might have trouble all year with zone defense, which could be their Achilles heal any time they are not having a good shooting night.

The UW Athletic Department provided the official box score, some good quotes and a photo gallery.