Box Score SEATTLE, WASHINGTON—Senior forward Shawn Kemp, Jr. tossed in a game-high 17 points to lead the Huskies to a 77-59 victory over the Bulldogs in the season opener for both teams Friday at Alaska Airlines Arena.

Washington improves to 2-0 overall, while SC State falls to 0-1.

Kemp's dominance in the frontcourt was just too much for the Bulldogs, as the 6-foot-9 senior forward overpowered South Carolina State inside to shoot 8-of-13 from the floor, including a couple of dunks, to go with his six rebounds.

Sophomore center Robert Upshaw (7-0, 250) tied a school record with seven blocked shots along with 14 points and six rebounds off the bench for Washington.

South Carolina State started 1-of-7 from the field as they fell behind 12-2 at the 14:22 mark. The Bulldogs pulled within three, 20-17, with 8:29 remaining to play in the first-half before Washington sparked a 12-0 run to pull ahead 39-23 before the half.

Washington led the entire game. With less than 16:22 left in the second-half the Huskies pulled ahead 52-28, for their largest lead of the game.

Both teams had issues with accuracy at times. South Carolina State shot 33 % (24 of 73) from the field and 6-of-13 from the charity strip. The Huskies had their own struggles at the line, going 10-for-17 on free throws.

Sophomore guard Karon Wright led South Carolina State with 14 points, and while Greg Mortimer added 10. Freshman guard Edward Stephens chipped in nine point and six rebounds in the losing effort.

The Huskies were led sophomore guard Nigel Williams-Goss(6-3,190) who had a double-double from the perimeter with 10 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists, while  teammate junior Andrew Andrews(6-2, 195) added 13 points, seven rebounds and six assists in the victory.

South Carolina State returns to action on Sunday when they travel to play the University of San Francisco. Tipoff is 2 p.m.