KEY POINTS
- Freshman Hannes Steinbach set a Big Ten record with his 19th double-double of the season.
- Zoom Diallo scored a career-high 26 points to lead the Huskies in a 91-72 blowout win.
- Washington outscored the Trojans by 21 points in the final 13 minutes to sweep the series.
The Washington Huskies delivered a commanding performance on Wednesday night to defeat the USC Trojans 91-72. Freshman center Hannes Steinbach made history at Alaska Airlines Arena with a record-breaking statistical display. Steinbach recorded 22 points and a career-best 24 rebounds to anchor the Washington frontcourt. This performance marked his 19th double-double, setting a new freshman record for the Big Ten Conference.
The 24 rebounds collected by Steinbach represent the fourth-highest single-game total in the history of the program. His dominance on the glass allowed the Huskies to control the tempo after a competitive first half. Steinbach surpassed the previous freshman double-double record formerly held by Ohio State standout Jared Sullinger. His efficiency was equally impressive as he connected on nine of his twelve field goal attempts.
Zoom Diallo provided the offensive spark from the perimeter by scoring a career-high 26 points. Diallo shot 11-of-19 from the floor and contributed nine rebounds to the team’s winning effort. His scoring consistency kept the Huskies in the game during a back-and-forth opening period. The freshman guard also added several key assists during the decisive second-half scoring run.
USC entered the matchup struggling and had recently dismissed top player Chad Baker-Mazara from the program. The Trojans led by three points at the halftime break following a strong start by Alijah Arenas. Arenas finished the night with 19 points and seven rebounds to lead the visiting side. Ezra Ausar also contributed a double-double for USC with 17 points and 11 boards in the loss.
The momentum shifted permanently midway through the second half when Washington launched a 13-0 scoring burst. The Huskies utilized a high-pressure defense to force turnovers and create easy transition opportunities. Washington outscored the Trojans by 21 points over the final thirteen minutes of regulation play. This surge turned a tight contest into a comfortable double-digit victory for the home team.
Quimari Peterson and Wesley Yates III provided essential depth by scoring 13 and 11 points respectively. Peterson connected on three shots from long range to help space the floor for Steinbach. The Huskies finished the game shooting 48 percent as a team while dominating the paint 54-32. This balanced attack proved too much for a USC defense that has now lost six straight.
The victory allows Washington to sweep the regular-season series against the Trojans for the first time in years. The Huskies improved their overall record to 15-15 while moving to 7-12 in Big Ten play. Head coach Danny Sprinkle praised the team’s resilience and their ability to play with force in the second half. The win provides much-needed momentum as the program prepares for the postseason tournament.
Washington will conclude the regular season this Saturday with a road game against the Oregon Ducks. USC returns home to face crosstown rival UCLA in their final scheduled matchup of the year. Both teams are now focused on improving their seeding for the upcoming conference championships in Indianapolis. The historic night from Steinbach will be remembered as a high point in the Huskies’ season.
