Huskies' Depth Dispatches Trojans to Advance to Quarterfinals

No. 8 seed Washington secured a 76-64 victory over No. 9 USC to advance to the quarterfinals of the 2026 Allstate Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament , leaning on standout performances from Elle Ladine (25 points) and Avery Howell (18 points, nine rebounds). Despite a slow first quarter marked by turnovers and low scoring, the Huskies found their rhythm in the second, using a 9-0 run to build a 32-20 halftime lead.

Washington’s depth shone as it shot 50% from the field and dominated the glass, out-rebounding USC 44-27. The Trojans made a late push, cutting the deficit to 10 with 1:30 remaining, but Washington’s balanced attack and steady scoring sealed the win. Sayvia Sellers was held to just four points, but the Huskies’ supporting cast stepped up to keep their tournament hopes alive.

The Huskies now take on No. 1 seed UCLA in the quarterfinals tomorrow at 12 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network.

Full game breakdown below. Want to see the quarterfinals in person? Click here .

Fourth Quarter:

• Notable: Sayvia Sellers (WASH) only has one point in this contest, but the Huskies are showing their depth. Avery Howell and Elle Ladine have a combined 41 points two minutes into the fourth quarter.
• Washington stays on course with a 65-47 lead at the media timeout (4:56).
• USC pulls closer, down 10 with 1:30 remaining.
• Washington closes out the 76-64 win.
• Notable: Washington finished shooting 50% from the field.
• Key Contributors (WASH): Ladine (25 points), Howell (18 points, nine rebounds).

Third Quarter: Staying steady

• USC and Washington trade buckets in the opening minutes. Huskies hold their lead, 39-26.
• Howell and Ladine have eight of Washington's 12 third-quarter points so far.
• The Huskies grow their advantage to 53-34, courtesy of scores from Devin Coppinger, Ladine, Yulia Grabovskaia, and Brynn McGaughy.
• Notable: Washington's in a bit of foul trouble. Three different Huskies have three personals: Sellers, McGaughy, and Ladine.

Second Quarter: Huskies pull ahead

• Howell finishes a layup. She has seven of Washington's 10 points.
• Notable: Every score of the game so far has come from within the arc. Washington leads 12-10.
• Notable: The Huskies are out-rebounding the Trojans 19-8.
• Washington uses a 9-0 run to take a 19-10 lead. Howell drains a three to become the first player of the game to reach double figures.
• The Huskies are heating up! They eclipse 40% shooting and lead 26-15.
• End Q2: Washington leads 32-20 after a buzzer beater! Notable contributors: Ladine (13 points), Howell (10 points).

First Quarter: Defensive, low-scoring opening action

• It's 4-2 Washington early. USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb successfully appeals an out-of-bounds to give the Trojans possession.
• Both teams suffer 2+ minute scoring droughts. USC has a slight 6-4 edge.
• Big Ten Freshman of the Year Jazzy Davidson (USC) leaves the court with an apparent shoulder injury.
• The Trojans appeal a personal foul call in an attempt to have it upgraded to a flagrant. The call is confirmed, and USC loses a timeout.
• Notable: USC holds Sellers scoreless for the first six minutes.
• Davidson re-enters the game!
• Both teams end Q1 on a scoring drought. Washington finishes with eight turnovers, but USC only capitalizes with two points. It's 8-6 Huskies.

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