SEATTLE (Interstat) — In a defensive struggle defined more by missed shots and miscues than offensive artistry, the Washington Huskies grinded out a 51-43 victory over the Oregon Ducks in a Big Ten women’s basketball contest Sunday at a packed Hec Edmundson Pavilion.

A crowd of 5,134 watched as both teams endured prolonged scoring droughts and combined for 36 turnovers on an afternoon where offensive rhythm was scarce. The Huskies improved to 19-7 overall, while the Ducks fell to 18-9.

The most pivotal stretch of the game arrived not in the frantic final minutes, but in its chaotic opening chapter. Washington seized immediate and overwhelming control with a 22-9 first-quarter explosion, a margin that ultimately proved insurmountable for an Oregon team that spent the remaining 30 minutes fighting uphill. The Huskies’ early barrage was fueled by precision from beyond the arc and disruptive defense.

Sayvia Sellers, Washington’s dynamic guard from Anchorage, Alaska, set the tone. She connected on two three-pointers in the first four minutes, part of a personal 8-point burst that helped stake the Huskies to a rapid 11-3 lead. Oregon, meanwhile, opened the game ice-cold, missing seven of its first eight field goal attempts and committing five early turnovers against Washington’s active hands.

The Huskies’ lead ballooned to 22-9 by the end of the period, with Sellers contributing 11 of those points. Oregon’s offensive woes were stark; they shot just 4-of-15 from the floor in the quarter and managed only a single three-point attempt, which missed.

The Ducks, to their credit, responded with a gritty second-quarter performance that turned the game into a grind. Locking down defensively, Oregon held Washington to a mere five points in the period, the Huskies’ lowest output of the season for any quarter. A 12-0 Ducks run, powered by interior baskets from Ari Long and Ehis Etute, cut the deficit to 27-25 late in the half. For a moment, Oregon’s early collapse seemed forgiven.

However, the Huskies stemmed the tide just before halftime, and the third quarter saw both offenses revert to their struggling ways. The teams combined for just 16 points in the period, with Washington outscoring Oregon 10-6. The Ducks’ shooting struggles reached a nadir, making only 2-of-14 field goal attempts in the quarter. Despite the horrific offensive display, Oregon remained within striking distance, trailing 37-34 entering the final period, because Washington’s own attack remained stagnant.

The fourth quarter saw Washington finally create enough separation to secure the win. After an Ari Long three-pointer brought Oregon within 40-37 with 6:36 remaining, the Huskies executed a critical 7-0 run. It was capped by a Hannah Stines three-pointer off a Sellers assist, pushing the lead back to 10 points with 5:35 to play. Oregon would get no closer than six points the rest of the way, as both teams traded empty possessions and free throws in the closing minutes.

Sellers led all scorers with 17 points, adding three assists in 38 minutes of action. Avery Howell of Boise, Idaho, provided crucial support with 9 points and a game-high 11 rebounds for Washington. The Huskies shot 38.3% from the field but were bolstered by making 6-of-19 from three-point range and 9-of-12 from the free-throw line.

Oregon was led by Sarah Rambus, who scored 12 points off the bench and added two blocks. The Ducks’ shooting numbers told the story of their defeat: 30.9% from the field and a crippling 1-of-10 from three-point territory. They did force 19 Washington turnovers, converting them into 15 points, but could not overcome their own 17 giveaways and frigid shooting.

Washington entered the game as a slight 1.5-point favorite according to sportsbooks, with statistical models giving them a 67.6% chance to win. The combined point total of 94 fell dramatically under the pregame over/under line of 135.5, underscoring the defensive and offensively challenged nature of the contest.

The Huskies travel to face UCLA on Thursday. Oregon returns home to host Nebraska on the same night, looking to rebound from an offensive performance they will quickly want to forget, one doomed by a disastrous start from which they never fully recovered.