Romar wins 300th game as Huskies beat Stanford 76-63

By Kshell

Washington Huskies(12-7,5-2) head coach Lorenzo Romar won his 300th game in his career in defeating the Stanford Cardinal(15-5,5-3) 76-63 at home bouncing back from the tough loss to the Cal Bears. Led by freshman Tony Wroten's game high 21 points and a bounce back game off the bench by Darnell Gant the Huskies climbed back into the Pac-12 race. The Huskies also saw a new face help the team off the bench who has made his name so far playing football in Austin Seferian-Jenkins. Although Seferian-Jenkins didn't score he provided energy and tough rebounding which sparked the home crowd as the Huskies revenged their loss against the Golden Bears. For Romar this was his 300th career coach win, and 100th career Pac-12 victory. Earlier in the year Romar won his 200th game as Huskies head coach as well.

In the first half for the first time in a while the Huskies weren't  trailing instead they led at halftime 32-25 despite the third straight first half were Terrence Ross struggled. The Huskies played terrific defense holding the Cardinal to 9-35(25.7%) shooting from the field, making only one for eight(12.5%) from three point range. The only Cardinal to do anything was Josh Owens who had 10 points on 5-12 shooting with five rebounds.

For the Huskies they shot 12-34(35.3%) from the field but also only made one for eight(12.5%) from three point range while making just 7-12(58.3%) from the free throw line. The Huskies were led by their guards Tony Wroten and Abdul Gaddy. Wroten scored 11 points on four for nine shooting while making three for six from free throws. While Gaddy scored nine points on three for five shooting including a three pointer and perfect on two free throw attempts while grabbing three rebounds. Terrence Ross continued his first half struggles lately scoring just two points on one for eight shooting missing all five three point shots. Aziz N'Diaye scored three points on one for four shooting but had five rebounds. Then Seferian-Jenkins provided a boost off the bench grabbing five rebounds for the Huskies.

In the second half the Huskies outscored the Cardinal 44-38 cruising to a 76-63 lead which wasn't close most of the second half. The Huskies held the Cardinal to 23-64(35.9%) from the field, 3-19(15.8%) from three point range and 14-23(60.9%) on free throws.  The Huskies shot well making 30-59(50.8%) from the field, 5-14(35.7%) from three point range but just 11-24(45.8%) from free throws. The Huskies won the rebounding war 39-31 led six guys on the team with five or more rebounds. The Huskies were led by Wroten scoring 21 points on 9-14 shooting but just three for seven on free throws. Wroten also added five rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block. Terrence Ross woke up again in the second half scoring 18 points on 6-17 shooting including two of eight from three point range with seven rebounds. Darnell Gant bounced back from his previous worst game with 17 points off the bench on 7-11 shooting including two of three from three point range while also grabbing seven rebounds. Abul Gaddy scored nine points on three for six shooting with a three pointer while grabbing six rebounds with three assists. Desmond Simmons scored six points for the Huskies on three for five shooting. N'Diaye fouled out scoring five points on two for five shooting while making just one of six free throws but did have six rebounds with a block shot. Seferian-Jenkins fouled out in only 16 minutes while grabbing seven rebounds. This was a solid team win for the Huskies who finally looked to have some depth.

This was a big win for the Huskies and coach Romar who are trying to survive without C.J.Wilcox. The Huskies are now 2-1 without Wilcox but all three games were at home and now the Huskies head on the road for four of the next six games. This will be a tough stretch for the Huskies who will most likely be missing Wilcox during this Arizona trip and possibly more. The energy that Seferian-Jenkins provided was crucial in giving the big men a break as no other big man had provided so much energy on this season. This was a big win for the Huskies basketball program and especially Romar who keeps achieving great milestones this year. The Huskies are back in the Pac-12 race as it appears nobody in this conference wants to take hold of this title.