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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Washington holds off Seattle U

SEATTLE – C.J. Wilcox led five Washington players in double figures with 22 points, and the Huskies staved off a challenge from crosstown rival Seattle in an 88-78 basketball win on Sunday night to open the regular season.

Thinned by injuries up front, the Huskies guards and some unlikely reserves came up with big contributions.

Andrew Andrews added 19 points for the Huskies, who won their eighth straight in the series. Washington (1-0) was playing without forwards Desmond Simmons and Perris Blackwell, and lost Jernard Jarreau in the first 2 minutes to a right knee injury.

Isiah Umipig scored 20 points for Seattle, but was 6 of 23 shooting. Clarence Trent, who started his college career at Washington, added 19 points for Seattle (0-1).

Because of the injuries up front, the Huskies were forced to turn to the unlikely duo of Mike Anderson and Darin Johnson off the bench, and both had important contributions. Johnson finished with 16 points and seven rebounds while Anderson had 12 points and eight rebounds and was a pest on defense.

Washington lost Jarreau with 18:25 left in the first half. He stole the ball at the top of the key and raced toward the other basket. Umipig tried to chase from behind and appeared to clip Jarreau as he went into the air. Jarreau landed awkwardly with his right leg buckling. He was on the court in pain for several minutes before being helped off, putting little weight on his right leg. Umipig was given a flagrant foul.

The loss of Jarreau is magnified because UW is already short-handed in the frontcourt. UW played without Blackwell after he suffered a concussion in an exhibition win over Central Washington on Wednesday. The Huskies are also without Simmons until mid-December after he had knee surgery.