Washington head coach Mike Hopkins wanted energy, and at first he didn’t get it.
A week after suffering its first Pac-12 defeat of the season, the Huskies (20-5, 11-1) started Saturday’s 72-70 victory over Washington State (10-15, 3-9) looking like the same team that limped out of the gate in the loss to Arizona State.
UW’s stifling zone defense — which had been holding conference opponents to 42.8 shooting from the field and 34.3 shooting from beyond the arc — was nearly unrecognizable in the opening half.
Washington State shot 59.3 percent from the field in scoring 45 first-half points, the most the Huskies have allowed in conference play.