Huskies beat lesser Bruins
SEATTLE – Matthew Bryan-Amaning dominated inside matching his career-high 23 points, Quincy Pondexter also matched his career best with 25 points including an off-the-backboard pass to himself, and No. 14 Washington ran away from Belmont for a 96-78 basketball win on Saturday night.
Inconsistent for much of his freshman and sophomore seasons, the Huskies can only hope that this performance is a sign of growth from Bryan-Amaning. He did it all against the Bruins: dunks, drop-step jumpers, up-and-under moves, and even some blocked shots.
Bryan-Amaning made 11 of 14 shots and added seven rebounds. His previous career high was 23 points against Portland State last season, the only other game in his career he’s reached 20 points. Isaiah Thomas added an efficient 23 for Washington (2-0) in its second game of the round-robin Athletes In Action Classic.
Scott Sanders led Belmont (1-1) with 18 points.
While the Huskies expect to get 20-point nights regularly from Thomas and Pondexter, it’s a welcome surprise when Bryan-Amaning gets that many. As a sophomore, Bryan-Amaning only reached double figures seven times and just three times as a freshman.
But he dunked for UW’s first points, scored six of the Huskies first 12 and had eight by halftime. Then Bryan-Amaning scored eight of Washington’s first 10 points of the second half as a 49-39 halftime advantage quickly morphed into a 20-point lead.
About the only thing Bryan-Amaning did wrong was owning one of Washington’s four missed free throws (25 of 29).
As Bryan-Amaning continued to control the interior, the Huskies used an 18-6 spurt early in the second half to fully take control.
Pondexter, the Huskies’ lone senior, hit 7 of 12 shots and all 11 of his free throws for 25 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.
Ian Clark added 14 for the Bruins, who shot 51 percent.
Washington 96, Belmont 78
Belmont (1-1)—Belcher 5-10 0-0 12, Hedgepeth 4-6 2-2 10, Hanlen 2-8 0-1 5, Clark 5-8 2-2 14, Campbell 2-4 0-1 6, House 2-3 2-3 6, Johnson 0-3 4-6 4, Saunders 7-10 4-5 18, Barnes 0-1 0-0 0, Noack 0-0 1-2 1, Baker 0-0 2-2 2. Totals 27-53 17-24 78.
Washington (2-0)—Bryan-Amaning 11-14 1-2 23, Gant 0-4 2-2 2, Overton 0-5 2-4 2, Thomas 6-9 7-7 23, Pondexter 7-12 11-11 25, Gaddy 3-9 1-2 8, Trent 0-2 0-0 0, Suggs 1-5 0-0 3, Holiday 2-8 0-0 4, Turner 1-3 0-0 3, Breshers 1-4 1-1 3, Sherrer 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 32-75 25-29 96. Halftime—Washington 49-39. 3-Point Goals—Belmont 7-18 (Clark 2-3, Campbell 2-4, Belcher 2-6, Hanlen 1-5), Washington 7-17 (Thomas 4-5, Suggs 1-2, Turner 1-2, Gaddy 1-3, Trent 0-1, Overton 0-1, Holiday 0-3). Fouled Out—Breshers, Hedgepeth, Johnson. Rebounds—Belmont 24 (Saunders 5), Washington 48 (Pondexter 11). Assists—Belmont 16 (Hanlen 6), Washington 17 (Overton, Pondexter, Thomas 3). Total Fouls—Belmont 23, Washington 20. A—8,410.