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Washington Women's Basketball Routs USC, Earns Tall Task in Big Ten Tourney cover image
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Brady Farkas
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Updated at Mar 5, 2026, 19:30
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The Huskies used a dominant second and third quarters to advance to the Big Ten quarterfinals.

The University of Washington women's basketball team rolled past Southern California 76-64 on Thursday afternoon in the second round of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Ind.

Their win comes one day after the UW men beat USC in the penultimate game of their season.

The Huskies are now 21-9 on the campaign while the Trojans are 17-13. Both teams are expected to make the NCAA Tournament.

Here's what you need to know.

Defense early and a dominant middle of the game

Early on, neither team could establish any kind of offensive rhythm. It was just 8-6 Huskies at the end of one quarter, but things opened up in the second and third quarters for UW.

They outscored the Trojans 24-14 in the second and 24-16 in the third. USC rallied to outscore Washington by eight in the fourth quarter, making things a little closer than they actually were.

Inside the numbers 

--Washington had a balanced scoring attack as Elle Ladine led the way with 25 points on 10-of-13 shooting. Avery Howell had 18 on 7-of-9 shooting, helping carry the offense in the first half, and Brynn McGaughy had 10 points. Ladine's 25 represented her high mark for the season.

--Ironically enough, Washington won despite getting only four points from first-team All-Conference selection Sayvia Sellers. She was 0-of-5 from the floor and only scored at the foul line.

--The Huskies shot 50 percent from the floor, but just 30 percent from three-point range (6-of-20), while the Trojans were 31 percent and 27 percent (8-of-30).

--Washington out-rebounded USC 44-27, but did commit a whopping 18 turnovers.

--Washington held USC star Jazzy Davidson to just eight points on 2-of-13 shooting.

On deck

The Huskies will be back in action on Friday morning (9 a.m. PT) in the quarterfinals of the tournament against No. 1 UCLA. The Bruins are No. 2 in the nation and feature Big Ten Player of the Year Lauren Betts. The Bruins are 28-1 on the campaign and beat Washington 82-67 earlier this season.

Avery Howell in Feb. 2026. Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesAvery Howell in Feb. 2026. Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Also on campus

--The Washington football program has made an interesting new hire on the offensive side of the ball, bringing in former NFL quarterback and longtime assistant Matt Cavanaugh. In a corresponding move, the team has promoted former NFL quarterback J.P. Losman to quarterbacks coach.

--UW freshman Hannes Steinbach had 22 points and 24 rebounds on Wednesday, creating some history seen only twice in the last 50 years for the men's program. The Huskies will take on Oregon on Saturday in the regular season finale.

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