Dzepina Leads Washington Past Colgate in Season Opener
Washington beat Colgate 90-76 at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle on November 2, while a Seahawks game drew attention elsewhere in the city.
Washington opened its basketball season with a 90-76 win over Colgate on November 2, playing before a sparse crowd at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle. A hand count put attendance at 548, excluding team support, media and arena staff, as a Seahawks-Bears game was underway across town.
The Huskies trailed by as many as five points in the first half before taking a 43-38 lead into halftime. Nikola Dzepina then scored 17 of Washington’s first 23 points after the break, helping the Huskies pull away. He finished with a game-high 27 points, making 10 of 17 shots.
LeJuan Watts added 22 points, mostly at the free-throw line, where he made 14 of 16 attempts. Wesley Yates III scored 10 and made three of six three-pointers, an encouraging performance after a wrist injury had affected his shooting. Coach Danny Sprinkle used 10 players, including Ryan Beasley, who had missed both exhibition games while in concussion protocol.
Seven-foot-one Mady Traore dressed but was limited by knee issues, while guard Tristan Devers was out with a foot injury. Washington has a week off before hosting Mississippi Valley State on November 9.