The Washington women’s basketball team put on a shooting clinic Wednesday night at Assembly Hall, snapping their two-game Big Ten losing streak with a commanding 82-63 victory over Indiana. In just their second-ever trip to Bloomington, the Huskies delivered a performance that will have fans talking for weeks, combining precision shooting with relentless energy on both ends of the floor.
Coming into the matchup, Indiana’s season had been teetering on the edge. The Hoosiers, holding an 11-7 overall record but winless in Big Ten play at 0-6, were desperate to turn things around on their home court. Their last outing, a heartbreaker against No. 14 Iowa, saw them lose 56-53 after holding a 35-19 halftime lead—only to be undone by a 19-4 third-quarter run from the Hawkeyes. Hopes were high that a return to Assembly Hall would help Indiana finally break their conference drought.
Washington, meanwhile, arrived in Indiana with their own baggage. The Huskies had dropped two straight on the road—falling to both Michigan State and Purdue in the Eastern Time Zone—after a thrilling 64-52 home win over then-No. 6 Michigan in Seattle. But if the travel woes were weighing on them, they certainly didn’t show it on Wednesday night.
From the opening tip, the Huskies looked sharp. The first quarter was tightly contested, with Washington holding a slim 15-13 lead with just over two minutes remaining. But then came the spark. Washington closed the frame on a 9-0 run, suddenly seizing momentum and putting the Hoosiers on their heels. That burst set the tone for the rest of the contest—Washington would not relinquish control again.
"We just kept playing our game, sharing the ball and staying focused," said Elle Ladine, who led all scorers for Washington. According to the official box score, Ladine poured in 19 points on an ultra-efficient 8-of-11 shooting, including a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc. Her confidence was palpable, and her teammates fed off her energy.
The Huskies’ offense was nothing short of electric. As a team, they shot a blistering 64.2% from the field (36-of-56) and knocked down 6 of 11 three-point attempts. Every time Indiana tried to make a run, Washington had an answer—often in the form of a backbreaking jumper or a timely defensive stop. Yulia Grabovskaia was nearly as efficient as Ladine, finishing with 16 points on 8-of-11 shooting, while Brynn McGaughy and Sayvia Sellers chipped in 13 and 11 points, respectively.
Washington’s dominance wasn’t limited to the offensive end. The Huskies crashed the boards with authority, outrebounding Indiana 32-20. That edge on the glass helped them control the tempo and limit Indiana’s second-chance opportunities. "Rebounding was a huge focus for us," said a Washington assistant coach postgame. "We knew if we could win that battle, we’d have a great shot to get out of here with a win."
Indiana, for their part, showed flashes of resilience. After trailing by as many as 17 points in the first half, the Hoosiers clawed back to cut the deficit to 41-31 at halftime. Shay Ciezki did her best to keep Indiana in it, leading all scorers with 23 points. Maya Makalusky added 16, providing a much-needed spark off the bench. Early in the third quarter, Indiana managed to trim the gap to just nine points, sending a jolt of energy through the Assembly Hall crowd.
But just as Indiana seemed poised to mount a comeback, Washington slammed the door. The Huskies rebuilt their lead to 14 by the end of the third quarter and then turned the fourth into a rout, expanding their advantage to as many as 29 points. Their ball movement was crisp, their defense suffocating, and their confidence unshakable. It was, in many ways, a statement win for a program looking to climb the Big Ten ladder.
For Indiana, the loss was a gut punch. The Hoosiers fell to 11-8 overall and 0-7 in Big Ten play, extending their winless streak in conference action. It’s a far cry from the team that nearly toppled Iowa just days earlier. The struggles in the second half—so evident against the Hawkeyes—reemerged against Washington. Once again, Indiana’s offense sputtered under pressure, and their defense couldn’t contain the Huskies’ hot shooting.
"We have to find a way to put together a full 40 minutes," said Indiana head coach in the postgame press conference. "We’ve shown we can compete with anyone in stretches, but it’s about consistency and execution. Credit to Washington—they played a heck of a game."
The Huskies, now 12-4 overall and 2-3 in Big Ten play, head back to Seattle brimming with confidence. Their next challenge? A two-game homestand beginning with Minnesota on Sunday, January 18. If Wednesday’s performance is any indication, Washington could be poised for a midseason surge. The return home may be just what the doctor ordered for a team that’s finally found its groove on the road.
Looking back, it’s clear this game was a microcosm of both teams’ seasons so far. Washington, after some rocky moments away from home, rediscovered its identity with a balanced attack and suffocating defense. Indiana, despite flashes of promise, continued to struggle with consistency—especially in the crucial third and fourth quarters. The Hoosiers’ search for their first Big Ten win will have to wait at least a little longer.
As the final buzzer sounded, the Huskies celebrated a win that may well be a turning point in their season. For Indiana, another tough night at Assembly Hall means it’s back to the drawing board. But with plenty of basketball left to play, both teams will look to build on the lessons learned from this high-octane clash in Bloomington.
