SALT LAKE CITY (Interstat) — Sayvia Sellers scored a game-high 30 points and the Washington Huskies used a dominant defensive second half to remain undefeated with a 72-61 victory over the Utah Utes in a nonconference women’s basketball game Saturday at the Jon M. Huntsman Center.

Washington improved to 3-0 while Utah suffered its first loss of the season, dropping to 3-1.

The Huskies seized control of the game with a stifling defensive effort after halftime, holding the Utes to just nine points in the third quarter. That period proved decisive, as Washington turned a 36-36 halftime tie into a 51-45 lead heading into the final frame.

Sellers, a 5-foot-7 guard from Anchorage, Alaska, was the offensive catalyst for the Huskies, adding four rebounds and two blocks to her 30-point performance in 38 minutes of action. Hannah Stines provided crucial support with 14 points and eight rebounds for Washington.

The Utes were led by Lani White, who recorded a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Maty Wilke added 13 points and Reese Ross contributed 12 points and five assists for Utah.

Washington’s defense was the story of the game, forcing 16 Utah turnovers while committing only 11. The Huskies converted those miscues into 15 points and also dominated the paint, outscoring the Utes 48-30 inside. Washington’s pressure also resulted in 13 steals, led by three from Teagan Brown.

The first half was a back-and-forth affair, with Utah taking a 20-16 lead after the first quarter. Washington responded with a 20-point second quarter to draw even at the break.

Washington’s efficiency on both ends was key. The Huskies posted an offensive rating of 98.3 points per 100 possessions, outperforming Utah’s 84.6. Despite shooting just 3 of 17 from three-point range, Washington compensated by making 31 of its 68 field goal attempts overall and controlling the glass with 10 offensive rebounds.

Utah struggled from the field, shooting 22 of 53, and was hampered by a significant disparity in assists, with Washington recording 13 to the Utes’ 4.

A crowd of 2,843 watched the game, which saw Washington outperform pregame expectations as statistical models had projected Utah as a 75 percent favorite to win.

The Huskies next host Fresno State on Wednesday. Utah will host Syracuse on Friday in Montville, Connecticut.