Huskies Rally Past Gophers 69-57 as Freshman Guard Ignites Comeback
Washington snapped a three-game slide Wednesday night (ET), using a decisive 14-0 spurt sparked by freshman guard Courtland Muldrew to down Minnesota 69-57 at Alaska Airlines Arena. The win lifted Washington past Minnesota in the standings and highlighted a mix of breakout performances and lingering depth issues for the home team.
Freshman Spark Turns the Tide
Muldrew, a 6-foot-3 freshman, provided the energy Washington needed when the lineup was thinned by injury and departures. He entered the game at the 16: 31 mark of the first half and helped fuel a 14-0 run that closed the half and put the Huskies in control. His defensive intensity and quickness disrupted Minnesota’s rhythm and ignited his teammates.
Washington was already coping with a short rotation after a thumb injury sidelined a sophomore swingman, leaving just nine scholarship players available. In that context, Muldrew’s sudden impact carried extra weight: he gave the team a boost on both ends and helped shift momentum when the game was still within reach.
"That's the Courtland we need, " a teammate said. "He can be just that energy, that spark defensively. That got everyone going, got everyone confident. That's Courtland Muldrew for sure. " The praise underscored how quickly the freshman turned a limited opportunity into a decisive contribution.
Big Nights for Steinbach and Diallo, but Gophers Fall Short
Washington freshman power forward Hannes Steinbach was the statistical standout, pouring in 26 points on an efficient 12-for-17 shooting night and grabbing nine rebounds. He flirted with another double-double but settled for a nine-rebound night, one shy of what would have been his 17th double-double this season.
Sophomore guard Zoom Diallo provided a complementary performance, scoring 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting and dishing out four assists. The pair’s scoring balance helped the Huskies maintain control after the big run and fend off Minnesota’s attempts to rally.
Minnesota struggled to find consistent offensive production outside of a few individual efforts. The Gophers trailed for much of the second half and were unable to counter the Huskies’ defensive pressure and efficient half-court scoring. Washington’s ability to convert high-percentage shots while limiting Minnesota’s second-chance opportunities proved decisive in a game where possessions were at a premium.
Standings Shakeup and What Comes Next
The victory moved Washington to 13-13 overall and 5-10 in conference play, while Minnesota dropped to 11-14 and 4-10. The two teams effectively swapped places in the standings, with Washington climbing to 12th and Minnesota falling to 13th in the league table. For Washington, the win ends a three-game skid and provides a timely morale boost as the schedule tightens late in the season.
For Minnesota, the loss raises fresh questions about depth and consistency. The Gophers will need to shore up defensive lapses and diversify their scoring options if they hope to climb back up the standings. Washington, meanwhile, will aim to build on the momentum generated by its young contributors and sustain a more reliable rotation despite limited personnel.
Both teams head into a critical stretch of conference play where every game carries added weight for postseason positioning. Washington’s youthful surge and Minnesota’s search for answers set the stage for more tightly contested matchups in the weeks ahead.
