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SEATTLE (AP) — Through all the whistles and an avalanche of fouls, Andrew Andrews and Washington remained resilient and earned a memorable start to conference play.
Andrews matched his career-high with 35 points, including five straight points midway through the second overtime, and Washington held on to beat No. 25 UCLA 96-93 in double overtime Friday night in a game that featured 64 fouls, 90 free throws and more drama than anyone expected.
"We just don't stop," Andrews said. "There are going to be a lot of ups and downs with this team but we're starting to get to the point where we're going to be solid."
Washington (9-4, 1-0) won the Pac-12 Conference opener for both schools on a night when the sounds of the whistles dominated.
UCLA's Bryce Alford did his part in extending the game an extra 10 minutes with two huge shots at the end of regulation and the end of the first overtime.
Alford's 3-pointer with 7 seconds left in regulation tied the game at 71, and he hit another with 13 seconds left in the first overtime to pull the Bruins (9-5, 0-1) even at 83. Alford finished with 30 points despite missing his first 11 shots to start the game.
"It was one of the worst nights of my career going into the last couple of minutes of the game," Alford said. "You've got to have confidence you can help your team, and when my team needs me I think that's when I'm best. It was unfortunate the way it started, but you've got to have confidence you're going to help your team."
Washington had five players in double figures, including 15 points from reserve Malik Dime, who scored eight straight for Washington midway through the second half when the Huskies were trying to hold their lead. Matisse Thybulle and David Crisp both had 13 points, and both hit key 3-pointers in each overtime. Thybulle's 3-pointer with 1:30 left in the first overtime gave Washington an 81-80 lead and Crisp's 3-pointer with 38.8 seconds left in the second overtime gave the Huskies a 93-89 lead.
Thomas Welsh scored 19 points for UCLA but was on the bench with foul trouble for much of the game. Isaac Hamilton added 15 points and Tony Parker had 11.
Andrews scored 27 of his 35 points during the second half and the two overtimes. He finally gave Washington a little space in the second OT with a 3-pointer from the wing and a steal and dunk for a 90-85 lead with 2:05 remaining. Two free throws from Alford and a putback by Welsh pulled the Bruins within 90-89, but Crisp's third 3-pointer pushed the lead to four.
Parker scored quickly for UCLA, but the Bruins had to foul. Dejounte Murray missed both free throws with 16 seconds left but Hamilton's driving attempt to pull even bounced off the rim. Thybulle grabbed the rebound and was fouled, then hit one of two with 5.9 seconds remaining.
Washington learned its lesson, fouling Alford with 1.8 seconds left. He hit both free throws— the second an accident when he was trying to purposely miss — and Andrews added two more free throws for the final margin.
"This was by far the most intense game I've played in," Thybulle said.
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WORKING DOUBLE OT
UCLA rallied from six points down in the closing minutes of the second half, forcing overtime on Alford's fallaway 3-pointer. The teams remained even in the first OT until Alford's layup with 1:50 left for an 80-78 lead. Thybulle quickly answered with his 3 and UCLA missed three times around the basket on its next two possessions and was left to foul Andrews with 21 seconds left. Andrews hit both, but Washington again failed to keep Alford from getting a look and his third 3-pointer tied the game.
Washington coach Lorenzo Romar said the plan was to foul Alford but a miscommunication on the screen left Alford open.
Andrews had a look to win it, but his 17-footer rimmed out.
TIP-INS
UCLA: The Bruins lost their Pac-12 opener for the second straight season. Both were on the road. ... The Bruins were called for just nine fouls in their last game against McNeese State on Dec. 22. They were whistled for 15 in the first half on Friday.
Washington: Dime had a season-high 17 points in his last game against UC Santa Barbara. He's scored in double figures in three straight. .... Andrews scored 35 points last season against Washington State.
UP NEXT
UCLA: at Washington State on Sunday.
Washington: hosts USC on Sunday.
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