Great Osobor leads Washington to win over Santa Clara in invitational final

In a thrilling championship match held on November 29, 2024, in Palm Springs, California, the University of Washington took on Santa Clara University in the Acrisure Invitational final. Washington, having established a lead early in the game, faced a late rally from Santa Clara, who brought the score to 72-69 with just 11 seconds remaining in the game. Great Osobor was the standout player for Washington, scoring 19 points, alongside contributing eight rebounds and five assists. The match saw Washington maintain a strong offense throughout, overcoming Santa Clara's attempts to make a comeback late in the second half, particularly through Carlos Stewart Jr. and Elijah Mahi, who collectively scored points in a crucial 11-1 run for Santa Clara. Despite Santa Clara's efforts, Washington solidified their victory with key free throws made by Tyler Harris and a decisive dunk from Osobor at the game's conclusion. With this win, Washington secured its fifth consecutive victory, marking their first five-game winning streak since 2019. The result improves Washington's record to 6-1 for the season, further establishing their dominance against Santa Clara, whom they have now defeated in four straight contests. Santa Clara's record falls to 3-5 as they prepare for their upcoming game against McNeese University on December 3, 2024. This game highlights Washington's successful start to the season and sets a positive tone as they are scheduled to open their Big Ten Conference play against UCLA shortly after. The combination of Osobor's performance and the teamwork displayed by the Huskies indicates a strong potential for their upcoming challenges in the season. The match not only showcased their skills but also their resilience under pressure, which could be crucial as they face tougher opponents in the future. Meanwhile, Santa Clara will be looking to regroup and learn from this experience as they enter a competitive stretch in their schedule. Overall, the championship game underscored the shifting dynamics in collegiate basketball, especially the capabilities of programs like Washington that are finding their rhythm at the right time as the season progresses. The culmination of individual talent, such as Osobor's, and strategic team play contributed significantly to this outcome, reflecting the importance of both elements in achieving success in competitive sports.