SEATTLE (Interstat) — The Washington Huskies used a dominant first quarter and a stifling defensive effort to remain undefeated, dispatching the visiting Southern Lady Jaguars 66-40 in a non-conference women’s basketball game Tuesday night at a subdued Hec Edmundson Pavilion.

From the opening tip, the Huskies established control, racing out to a 19-8 lead after the first period and never looking back. The victory improved Washington’s record to a perfect 6-0 on the young season, while Southern’s struggles continued as they fell to 1-5.

The game was defined by Washington’s overwhelming defense and Southern’s profound offensive struggles. The Lady Jaguars were held to a frigid 25.9% shooting from the field, connecting on just 15 of 58 attempts. Their woes were particularly acute from beyond the arc, where they made only one three-pointer in 12 tries.

Washington, conversely, operated with efficiency. The Huskies shot 45.8% from the floor and were a solid 7 of 22 from three-point range. They also capitalized at the free-throw line, making 15 of their 20 attempts.

Avery Howell, a 6-foot guard from Boise, Idaho, led all scorers and was the engine of the Huskies’ offense. She finished with a game-high 18 points, showcasing her versatility with a mix of drives, mid-range jumpers, and a three-pointer, all while pulling down multiple key rebounds in her 26 minutes of action.

She was complemented by the interior presence of freshman Brynn McGaughy. The 6-3 post from Spokane, Washington, was a force on both ends, contributing 14 points and recording three of the Huskies’ nine blocked shots. Her ability to score inside and protect the rim proved to be a mismatch Southern could not solve.

The Lady Jaguars’ lone bright spot was the persistent effort of Demya Porter. The guard from Bogue Chitto, Mississippi, fought hard for her team-high 16 points, often scoring through contact and battling for offensive rebounds against Washington’s taller front line. Despite her individual effort, the Lady Jaguars could not string together enough successful possessions to mount a serious challenge.

Washington’s defense was relentless, generating 22 Southern turnovers. While the Huskies were also careless with the ball at times, committing 15 turnovers of their own, their ability to convert Southern’s mistakes into points was a decisive factor. The Huskies also showcased their depth and length, with Olivia Anderson and Hannah Stines each adding two blocks to the team’s total.

The Huskies steadily built their lead throughout the game. After the 11-point advantage following the first quarter, they extended it to 35-20 by halftime. The third quarter saw more of the same, as Washington outscored Southern 18-8 to take a commanding 53-28 lead into the final period, effectively putting the game out of reach.

The victory continues a strong start for Washington under head coach Tina Langley, as the team has now won each of its first six games by an average margin of 28 points. The schedule, however, is set to ramp up in the coming weeks with Pac-12 conference play on the horizon.

For Southern, the loss marks their fifth defeat against a power-conference opponent this season, a challenging early slate that has seen them face nationally prominent programs. The Lady Jaguars will look to find their footing as they continue a difficult road trip.

The announced attendance at Hec Edmundson Pavilion was 2,000. Washington’s next contest is at home against UC San Diego on Friday, while Southern continues its road swing at Arizona on Dec. 3.