It was the kind of basketball game that could make or break a season.
Consider a disillusioned University of Washington team trying to pick up the jagged pieces after losing a highly competitive outing to Oregon 76-74 on Thursday night at Alaska Airlines Arena, but falling short just the same — the Huskies' third consecutive setback in as many Pac-12 outings.
Jermaine Couisnard settled this one for the Ducks (11-3 overall, 3-0 Pac-12) when he dropped in a layin with a dozen seconds remaining after the teams were separated by no more than three points over the final four hectic minutes.
The Huskies (8-6, 0-3) had a chance to win with five seconds left but Paul Mulcahey's 3-pointer wouldn't go down and Oregon's Brennan Rigsby grabbed the rebound, was fouled at the buzzer and missed a free throw that didn't matter.
Coach Mike Hopkins has to be feeling the heat now with a new athletic director in Troy Dannen sizing up the Husky program that was supposed to be so much better with a veteran roster.
The UW's Sahvir Wheeler led all scorers with 18 points and was one of five Huskies who finished in double figures.
The Ducks were topped by freshman guard Jackson Shelstad, who provided 17 points, while Couisnard, who hit the game-winner, finished with 16.
The Huskies built a 36-30 lead at the break, but couldn't hang onto it, falling behind 44-43 six minutes into the second half.
From there, it was fierce battle to the buzzer.
UW sophomore Koren Johnson singlehandedly tried to pull this one out. His 3-pointer with 3:55 left to play tied the game at 65 and his layin 24 seconds later put the Huskies on top 67-65. Johnson next tied the game at 72 with a pair of free throws with 1:11 on the clock. He finished with 12 points.
Husky forward Keion Brooks tied the game one last time with a two foul shots with 39 seconds to play, but the Ducks turned to Cuisnard at the end to decide it.
The UW tries to bounce on Saturday with a home game against Oregon State at 3 p.m.
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