Huskies dismantle Grambling State

  • By Christian Caple The News Tribune
  • Wednesday, December 17, 2014 11:11pm
  • SportsSports

SEATTLE — The source of Lorenzo Romar’s pride on Wednesday night could not be found on the Hec Edmundson Pavilion scoreboard.

If you missed this thriller, the No. 16-ranked Washington Huskies men’s basketball team pounded Grambling State, 86-38, in a quite thorough and quite expected rout.

The Tigers (2-7) are among the worst offensive teams in the nation, and their final point total can be submitted as evidence of that.

But coach Romar liked this victory for reasons other than the 48-point margin.

“I was so proud of our team — how we took that game possession by possession,” Romar said. “(UW made) 32 field goals, 24 assists. We were sharing the ball. We were not playing selfish at all. We were trying to work and grind each time down the floor, defensively. I was really excited about that.

“The score was irrelevant. We were trying to develop habits.”

Those habits, they hope, will guide them through Saturday’s game against No. 15-ranked Oklahoma at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. That matchup presents an opportunity for the unbeaten Huskies (9-0) to add an impressive victory to their NCAA tournament resume, and it will all but assure a perfect nonconference record.

Maybe that’s why Romar was so pleased with the way Washington dismantled Grambling. Previous UW teams might have been preoccupied with the much tougher task that awaits this weekend.

The UW coach referenced lackluster performances in past mismatches, explaining that after those games, “somebody that reads the score that didn’t see the game may say, ‘oh, you guys handled those guys pretty good.’ But it’s not a good feeling. Tonight was a good feeling. Not because of the score, but because of our level of concentration.”

There seemed to be plenty of that from the start, as the Huskies raced to a 17-3 lead behind a series of dunks from senior forward Shawn Kemp Jr., then celebrated Grambling’s second made field goal by ripping off an 18-0 run that made it 35-6 with 4:45 to play in the first half. By halftime, the Huskies led 45-13.

“When you have goals for the team and where you want to be,” junior guard Andrew Andrews said, “it’s kind of easy to look past the score and just worry about what you need to do on the court.”

Speaking of the score: it didn’t get any closer. A 23-8 Huskies run greeted the Tigers to begin the second half. Washington’s largest lead was 81-30, and seldom-used walk-ons Dan Kingma (Jackson High School), K.J. Garrett and Greg Bowman (Mountlake Terrace High School) each logged playing time. Bowman and Kingma both scored. The announced crowd of 5,289 seemed to enjoy those baskets the most.

Kemp led all scorers with a career-best 21 points on 9-for-12 shooting, and didn’t play the final 10:22. Five of his nine buckets were dunks.

“We’ve been talking about they were a smaller team, and all we had to do was just throw the ball over the top, pretty much,” Kemp said. “We knew it was going to be there.”

Sophomore point guard Nigel Williams-Goss nearly notched a double-double with nine points and 11 assists, and added six rebounds in 33 minutes. Seven-foot center Robert Upshaw did have a double-double, scoring 15 points while grabbing 15 rebounds in just 22 minutes. His

Andrews (16 points) and Mike Anderson (10 points) also finished in double-figures.

Unsurprisingly, the Huskies dominated nearly every statistical category, including rebounds (50 to 30), field-goal percentage (50.8 to 23.3), second-chance points (23 to 4) and points in the paint (50 to 18).

But that’s not what encouraged Romar, whose team is off to its best start since it began the 2005-06 season with 11 consecutive games.

“I couldn’t be prouder of our team tonight,” Romar said. “Sometimes we say this (after a) big game, championship game, big road victory. Tonight, the score wasn’t close, but at the same time, our ability to maintain our concentration and focus was very pleasing.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27

Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.