BY TODD DYBAS / SEATTLESPORTSONLINE.COM

The city of Seattle had another snowfall on its hands, an opportunity for taxpayers to crash and churn, lamenting the local government's inability to clean up streets and sidewalks.

The second storm blasting through King County Saturday night was predicted, as was the Huskies' pulverizing of Eastern Washington. Every Washington player scored, the totals ranging from Scott Suggs' one point to Jon Brockman's team-high 17 in an 83-50 drubbing of the Eagles.

It's six consecutive wins now for the Huskies (7-3), Washington taking the expected upward turn during an extended homestand against athletically challenged competition.

Saturday night started with many vacant seats and rigid Washington offense. Midway through the first half, one of those things changed.

A defensive firming by the Huskies altered the prior competitive balance of the game, the teams tied at 15 with 10:59 remaining in the half. Washington trapping, blocking and sprinting led to a controlling 42-22 halftime lead.

Drives from Justin Dentmon and Isaiah Thomas joined the usual brutish post play from Jon Brockman, turning the defensive swarming into easy baskets. Eastern was spinning its tires, Washington had plenty of traction.

The Washington students are on break which thinned an already minimal crowd because of the snow storm. Washington coach Lorenzo Romar was pleased with his team's response to the quaint gathering.

"When you play at home you can be energized by a crowd, but at the same time you can't rely on that," Romar said. "You've got to rely on what is within and I thought our guys did a pretty good job at that."

The Huskies outscored Eastern 21-1 from the free-throw line, despite numerous misfires from each team. Washington again was dismal from a supposed charitable location, shooting 60 percent, 21-for-35. The Eagles not much better, a paltry 1-for-6.

Brockman returned to the floor after missing one game with a bum ankle. He said the ankle is not healed, then went Norman Dale.

"The hoop hasn't changed at all, my ankle's a little different," Brockman said. "The hoop is in the same spot."

Brockman said he did not have his usual lift, perhaps an explanation for a first half during which he left several close shots short. He expects to get treatment in the next two days, then give it a go against Lehigh on Tuesday. He also expects to be informed by his mom to remove the goatee that now sourrounds his mouth.

The Huskies have three more home games to close December, facing Lehigh Tuesday, Montana Dec. 28 and Morgan State Dec. 30. The Pac-10 looms with an opener at Washington State Jan. 3.

It's rightfully anticipated the December crowd will grow as the snow reduces.

"It was the emptiest I've seen it," Brockman said of Bank of America Arena Saturday night. "Just a weird kind of feeling. We could have come out and played terribly and played lazy. After a rough start we got ourselves together."

Todd Dybas is the editor of Seattlesportsonline.com. He can be reached via e-mail at tdybas@seattlesportsonline.com