LeJuan Watts made three baskets Monday night and finished with 22 points. That unusual combination explains a substantial part of Washington’s 90–76 season-opening win over Colgate at Alaska Airlines Arena.

The newcomer went 14-for-16 at the free-throw line, supplementing a 3-for-6 shooting night that included two three-pointers. Washington’s official game book records a team-wide 30-for-36 performance at the stripe. The Huskies found scoring beyond the jump shot, and Watts supplied nearly half their made free throws.

The points that shot totals miss

A field-goal attempt measures only one part of an offensive possession. A player who gets fouled and scores at the line can have a productive night without accumulating a long list of recorded shots. Watts’ opener is a particularly clear example: eight of his points came from the floor, with the other 14 coming after whistles.

That does not make six attempts a complete description of his workload. It does make a useful case for watching how an offense gets its points rather than judging involvement by the shooting column alone. A possession that ends in free throws can still demand a defender’s full attention.

Colgate made 13 of its 26 free throws. The difference in made foul shots was 17 points, larger than the final margin. That arithmetic identifies a major scoring advantage; it does not establish that changing a few misses would have left every later possession unchanged. The two teams played the game that actually unfolded.

Dzepina supplied the separation

Watts’ efficiency complemented Nikola Dzepina’s larger scoring burst. The Associated Press recap published by Washington credits Dzepina with a career-high 27 points and 18 of the Huskies’ first 23 points after halftime. Washington entered the break ahead 43–38 and built a 66–53 advantage with 10:03 remaining.

Those are two different kinds of production for opponents to consider. One player delivered the second-half surge. Another kept adding points despite a modest field-goal total. Our earlier look at Dzepina’s summer provides background on the returning forward; Monday supplied a new college result.

Watts brought a relevant history

The foul shooting has some foundation beyond opening night. Washington’s April announcement of Watts’ signing reported that he shot 83.3 percent from the line during his Texas Tech season. His college route also included Eastern Washington and Washington State, giving this Husky arrival a substantial regional backstory.

When Washington announced the transfer, coach Danny Sprinkle emphasized Watts’ ability to create offense for himself and teammates across multiple positions. The opener adds an early example of why that versatility matters. A scorer need not dominate the shot count to make a defense pay.

What remains to be tested is how that production travels from matchup to matchup. Opponents can defend without fouling, change the player assigned to Watts or make Washington finish possessions in another way. The useful next question is whether the Huskies keep finding good options when free throws are less plentiful.

Washington’s next scheduled game is Monday, November 9, against Mississippi Valley State at 7 p.m. Pacific, with Big Ten Network listed as the broadcaster. The first result gave the Huskies a win and a revealing scoring combination. The next test is building on it.

Sources and attribution

Washington’s official game book; The Associated Press recap published by Washington; Washington’s April announcement of Watts’ signing; Washington men’s official schedule.

Cover image is illustrative basketball photography, not documentation of the players, venue or event discussed.