Boise High graduate knocks down seven 3s, leads Washington to NCAA win
Boise High graduate Avery Howell put on a historic performance for the University of Washington women’s basketball team in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.
Howell dropped a game-leading 30 points and knocked down seven 3-pointers to lead the sixth-seeded Huskies to a 72-54 win over No. 11 South Dakota State in the first round Friday in Fort Worth, Texas.
Howell’s seven triples ties a career high and is tied for the third most in a single game in NCAA Tournament history. The sophomore guard and All-Big Ten honorable mention pick also became the first Husky since Kelsey Plum to score 30 points or more in a tournament game. Howell also added nine rebounds, two steals and one assist.
A transfer from USC, Howell is a two-time Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year and set Boise High’s single-season records for points (551) and rebounds (354) during the 2022-23 season. Howell was a part of the Trojans’ run to the Elite Eight a year ago.
“That allowed me to have some experience and just feel really comfortable in these type of high-pressure situations,” Howell told The Associated Press. “That just allows me to hopefully be a calming presence on the court and just be there for my teammates and for my coaches in any way that I can.”
Washington’s win Friday is its first at the Big Dance since Plum took the Huskies to the Sweet 16 in 2017. UW (22-10) next plays host and third-seeded TCU (30-5) on Sunday.
This story was originally published March 20, 2026 at 7:58 PM.
