Huskies snap two game losing streak with 64-56 win over Oregon State

Freshman forward RaeQuan Battle  provided the Washington Huskies  ( 12-6, 2-3)  the offensive infusion they had been desperately seeking by scoring 11 first half points in the Huskies  64-56 win over the  Oregon State   Beavers ( 12-5,2-3) Thursday night at Alaska Airlines Arena.  Battle  was given his first starting  assignment of the season by head coach Mike Hopkins because Jaden McDaniel’s was  recovering from an ankle injury suffered in the Huskies overtime loss to California last Saturday.

OUTSIDE GAME OPENS INSIDE GAME

Battle’s long range trio of three’s opened the paint for the Huskies  which then opened up shooting lanes for  Isaiah Stewart who scored 11 second half points after scoring just two points in the first. Stewart finished the game with a team high 13 points.  In addition to Battle, the Huskies also received  double digit offensive outputs from  freshman Marcus Tsohonis 11 points,  Junior Nahziah Carter (10pts) and  Sophomore  Jamal Bey  11 points.

Huskies freshman Marcus Tsohonis looks for shot.

DEFENSE WINS GAME

While the  balanced offensive output was a burden for the Beavers, what won the game for the Huskies was their spot on stiffing zone defense. The Huskies were able to hold the Beavers to a low  39 % from the field. The Beavers made 20 of 51 shots. They  were worse from the  three point line  making  two off  eleven shots for a 16.7 %. Kylor Kelley led  the Beavers with 16 points and Tres Tinkle added 15. But Tinkle was just 2 of 12 from the field and the Beavers missed their first eight 3-point attempts.

Isaiah Stewart drives to the basket.

YOUTH IS SERVED

Before  Thursday’s game Battle had appeared in just six games and played a total of 35 minutes and scoring  eight points.  The Huskies are young and talented and the learning curve for head coach Mike Hopkins will be to find a way to keep player focused on the big picture without getting dejected because of lack of playing time, injuries or losses.

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