SEATTLE — Nigel Williams-Goss and Darin Johnson hit 3-pointers in the final 1:16 to cap a big comeback and No. 17 Washington beat Eastern Washington 81-77 on Sunday night.
Robert Upshaw led Washington with a career-high 21 points and added nine rebounds and six blocks. Williams-Goss had 19 points and Andrew Andrews 18 for the Huskies (8-0).
Eastern Washington (8-2) led by double-digits with about 11 minutes to play when Washington started to rally. Upshaw’s tip-in with 1:42 to play gave the Huskies their first lead since midway through the first half, 71-70.
Drew Brandon had an airball on a 3-point attempt for Eastern Washington and Williams-Goss then hit his 3-pointer from the left elbow to push the lead to four points. After a pair of free throws by Eastern Washington, Johnson hit another 3-pointer with 53 seconds left.
Andrews sealed the win by making all four of his free throws in the last 33 seconds.
Tyler Harvey had 21 points for Eastern Washington, and Drew Brandon added 16.
Eastern Washington was trying for its second win over a ranked opponent in 22 tries. The Eagles’ only win against a ranked team was a 68-67 victory over then-No. 10 St. Joseph’s on Nov. 15, 2001.
Washington was playing as a ranked team for the first time since January 2011. The Huskies are off to their best start since the 2005-06 season, when they started 11-0.
Eastern Washington was the first team this season to score more than 70 points against Washington.
TIP INS
Eastern Washington: The Eagles are 1-13 against the Huskies, with their only win coming exactly 12 years earlier on Dec. 14, 2002. Eastern Washington has lost 18 straight games against Pac-12 teams.
Washington: The Huskies were 0 for 6 from the free throw line in the first half and missed their first seven free throws overall. Washington had more opportunities in the second half, finishing 24 for 37. Upshaw had the toughest time, going 5 for 14 from the line.
STAT LINE
In Washington’s previous game, the Huskies held No. 18 San Diego State to a school-record low point total in a 49-36 win. Eastern Washington bettered the Aztecs’ game score with 1:41 left in the first half. The Eagles had a 42-31 lead at halftime.
UP NEXT
Eastern Washington: The Eagles are at Sam Houston State on Tuesday, the fourth in a stretch of five straight road games.
Washington: Hosts Grambling on Wednesday.
