SALT LAKE CITY (Interstat) — In a defensive struggle defined by tenacity and turnovers, the Washington Huskies remained undefeated with a gritty 72-61 victory over the Utah Utes in a women’s NCAA basketball game Saturday at the Jon M. Huntsman Center.

A dominant third-quarter performance proved to be the difference for Washington, which improved to 3-0 on the young season. Utah, which entered the contest as a slight pregame favorite, saw its record fall to 3-1.

The game was a tale of two halves, with the first featuring back-and-forth action. Utah held a narrow 20-16 lead after the opening quarter, but Washington responded with a 20-point second quarter to take a 36-33 advantage into halftime. The contest remained tight, but the Huskies were about to seize control.

Washington’s defense clamped down in the third period, holding the Utes to a mere nine points. The Huskies, meanwhile, managed 15 points of their own, extending their lead to 51-42 and creating a cushion they would not relinquish. Utah could not mount a significant challenge in the final quarter as Washington closed out the game, outscoring the Utes 21-16 in the period to secure the double-digit win.

The offensive catalyst for the Huskies was sophomore guard Sayvia Sellers of Anchorage, Alaska. The 5-foot-7 guard delivered a spectacular performance, pouring in a game-high 30 points while adding four rebounds, two blocks and two steals in 38 minutes of action. Her ability to attack the basket and create her own shot was a constant challenge for the Utah defense.

Sellers received crucial support from junior Hannah Stines of La Mirada, California. Stines was a force on both ends of the court, recording a near double-double with 14 points and eight rebounds. She also contributed two assists, two blocks and a game-high three steals, embodying the Huskies’ all-around effort.

Washington’s victory was built on a foundation of defensive pressure and dominance in the paint. The Huskies forced Utah into 16 turnovers, converting those into 15 points, while the Utes managed only eight points off Washington’s 11 giveaways. The Huskies also recorded 13 steals, more than tripling Utah’s total of four.

Inside, Washington was overwhelming. The Huskies outrebounded Utah on the offensive glass 10-4, leading to numerous second-chance opportunities. This effort translated into a commanding 48-30 advantage in points in the paint, highlighting their ability to score efficiently near the basket.

While both teams struggled from beyond the arc—Washington shot 3 of 17 and Utah 5 of 17—the Huskies’ superior field goal percentage, 45.6 percent on 31-of-68 shooting compared to Utah’s 41.5 percent on 22-of-53, was a decisive factor. Washington also dished out 13 assists, showcasing better ball movement than the Utes, who managed only four.

For Utah, the effort was led by a double-double from Lani White. The Irvine, California, native posted 12 points and 12 rebounds in 36 minutes. Reese Ross of Rapid City, South Dakota, also tallied 12 points and added five assists and five rebounds. Maty Wilke of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, was the Utes’ leading scorer with 13 points.

The announced attendance at the Jon M. Huntsman Center was 2,843. The result was considered an upset according to pregame projections, which heavily favored the Utes.

Washington looks to continue its winning streak when it hosts Fresno State on Wednesday, Nov. 19. Utah will aim to rebound when it faces Syracuse in a neutral-site game in Montville, Connecticut, on Friday, Nov. 21.