By TIM BOOTH
When he arrived at Washington, one of Andrew Andrews’ goals was to score 40 points in a college game — a mark that was impressive yet seemed obtainable.
After 123 games, Andrews still hadn’t reached that mark heading into Wednesday night for the final regular season home game of his career.
So on a night dedicated to his time at Washington, Andrews started knocking down shots in a way he never had before. And when the night was done, Andrews had scored 47 points and led the Huskies to a 99-91 victory over Washington State.
Goal accomplished.
“When you get in that type of zone you kind of black out and start playing,” Andrews said. “It’s kind of surreal.”
Andrews finished with the second-highest point total in Washington history — trailing only Bob Houbregs’ 49 points in 1953 — and if not for a lengthy rest on the bench late in the second half may have become the first to top 50 points. He tied St. Bonaventure’s Marcus Posley — who also scored a career-high 47 on Wednesday — for the most single-game points by a NCAA Division I player this season and had the highest point total by a Pac-12 player since Casey Jacobsen scored 49 points for Stanford in 2002.
Andrews was honored as the Huskies only senior before the game but the ceremony became an afterthought because of the performance on the court. Andrews scored 20 points in the first half and was the instigator of a 15-6 run to start the second as the Huskies built a 19-point lead. Andrews added 11 straight points later in the second half as Washington (17-13, 9-9) built a 27-point lead.
“When it is senior night you try to let them do something special,” Washington coach Lorenzo Romar said. “I thought 40 was special.”
Andrews was tasked with being the leader for a crop of raw freshmen that were going to determine Washington’s success this season. Andrews more than did his part and will finish the regular season as the Pac-12 leader in scoring, capping it by becoming the first Washington player since 1969 to top 40 points.
Brandon Roy didn’t do it. Neither did Isaiah Thomas, Terrence Ross, Nate Robinson or any of the other NBA stars to come through Washington’s program.
Andrews made 13 of 22 shots, including five 3-pointers, and was a 16 of 17 at the free-throw line — his only miss coming in his final trip to the line with four seconds left. He added six rebounds and four assists and staked Washington to a 27-point lead in the second half before the Cougars late rally made the final margin more respectable.
Andrews scored 14 during a 23-8 run to close the first half and gave the Huskies a 10-point lead at the break. He started quietly in the second half before scoring eight straight out of a timeout to eclipse his previous career-high of 35.
He wasn’t done.
Andrews added a driving layup and another step-back jumper to reach 42 points with 8:40 remaining, leading the crowd to chant his name in unison. Andrews checked out with about eight minutes left to take a breather, but prodded by chants of “We want Drew,” from the student section, Andrews was sent back into the game with 4:59 left and the Huskies leading 87-64. He failed to score during that return, but was reinserted with 58 seconds left after Washington State had trimmed the lead to 10.
Andrews added five more free throws in the closing seconds for his final total.
Dejounte Murray added 15 points and the Huskies got a bit of needed momentum heading into next week’s Pac-12 tournament in Las Vegas after being swept last week by the Oregon schools.
“My hats off to him. I am happy for him,” Washington State coach Ernie Kent said. “He has had a terrific career but I am also happy that we don’t have to play him again.”
Josh Hawkinson led Washington State (9-21, 1-17) with 23 points and 17 rebounds, but the Cougars lost their 16th straight game.
TIP INS:
Washington State: Que Johnson added 20 points, including four 3-pointers. … The Cougars posted the worst Pac-12 mark since USC finished 1-17 in 2012. Washington State also finished 1-17 in conference play in 2002.
Washington: George Irvin was the last Washington player to top 40 points when he scored 41 . … The Huskies forced 13 turnovers and forced at least 10 turnovers in every game this season.
UP NEXT
Washington State: The Cougars will face the No. 5 seed in the Pac-12 tournament next Wednesday.
Washington: The Huskies will play on the opening day of the Pac-12 tournament.