SEATTLE — The Washington Huskies kicked off their season in impressive fashion on Tuesday night, securing a 79-73 victory over UC Davis and marking the debut of head coach Danny Sprinkle. Great Osobor was instrumental in the win, contributing 15 points and tying his personal best with 17 rebounds.

In a well-rounded performance, Washington showcased several key players, with Mekhi Mason adding 13 points, while bench players Zoom Diallo and Wilhelm Breidenbach chipped in with 12 and 10 points, respectively. The Huskies demonstrated their depth and versatility throughout the game.

On the opposing side, UC Davis’ TY Johnson shone brightly, scoring a career-high 35 points. He managed to make 10 of 25 field goal attempts and excelled from the free-throw line, connecting on 13 of 16 attempts.

Washington held a narrow lead of 37-33 at halftime, but UC Davis quickly snatched the lead in the second half, starting with an 8-2 run that culminated in Leo DeBruhl’s three-pointer at the 17:52 mark. The Aggies maintained a slight edge until Tyler Harris hit a jumper with just over six minutes remaining, propelling Washington ahead 60-58. From that point on, the Huskies never gave up their lead.

Coach Sprinkle, who transitioned to Washington after a successful stint at Utah State, is stepping into his new role with high expectations. In his previous year at Utah State, Sprinkle helped guide the team to a Mountain West Conference championship and a spot in the NCAA Tournament’s round of 32. Before that, he spent four years at Montana State, leading the Bobcats to NCAA Tournament appearances in both 2022 and 2023.