Second-Half Rally lifts Washington Huskies over MVSU, 95-80

SEATTLE, Washington  -- Nigel Williams-Goss and Andrew Andrews each scored 18 points and helped spark a decisive second half run as the Washington Huskies pulled away for a 95-80 victory over Mississippi Valley State Friday night.

Washington (7-5) held the Delta Devils scoreless for over five minutes as the Huskies mounted an 18-0 run to break the game open in the second half. After a layup from Jeffrey Simmons tied the game at 56 with 12:40 left to play, Washington began to pull away. Williams-Goss and Andrews forced the action by attacking the basket. Anthony McDonald finally halted the Huskies run with a layup at the 7:26 mark.

Mississippi Valley State (3-8) couldn't keep the Huskies from getting to the rim and were outclassed on the boards as well. Perris Blackwell scored 17 points with 10 rebounds as Washington out-rebounded the Delta Devils by a 51-29 margin.

Washington built a 10-point lead midway through the first half but couldn't put MVSU away before the break. The Delta Devils kept in the contest on the strength of their 3-point shooting. Mississippi Valley State was 5 of 10 from behind the arc in the first half. Meanwhile, Washington didn't convert a 3-pointer in the half, going 0 for 6.

However, MVSU was just 2 for 19 from 3-point distance in the second half as Washington took control.

A three-point play from Andrews and free throw from Mike Anderson helped the Huskies take a 22-12 lead over MVSU midway through the first half. The Delta Devils slowly closed the deficit and a pair of 3-pointers from Daniel Hurtt helped the Delta Devils close the gap to 39-35 at the half.

After a quick start to the second half from the Huskies, MVSU erased a 10-point deficit in the blink of an eye. Simmons converted a four-point play after being fouled by Washington's Darin Johnson. A pair of free throws from McDonald closed the gap to 54-50 before Washington mistakes allowed the Delta Devils to tie the game. The Huskies turned the ball over on an inbounding violation and with a careless pass under their own basket on consecutive possessions. James Currington scored baskets off both turnovers to knot the score at 54.

C.J. Wilcox also posted a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds for Washington.

McDonald led the Delta Devils with 19 points on the night.

Box Score

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS