HAMPTON, Va. - In its opening road game of the 2014-15 season, the Washington State University women's basketball team (4-1) defeated the Hampton University Pirates (0-4), 74-60. Senior Tia Presley led the Cougars with 36 points, one point shy of her career high and tied for the third-best single-game performance in program history.

After a slow start that saw WSU trailing by six points with 15 minutes left in the half, the Cougars rattled off six-straight points to tie the game at 12. With tenacious defense, the Cougar women forced 14 turnovers in the first half. The teams traded leads until the Cougars went on an 11-0 run to close out the half. WSU held the Pirates scoreless for the final 4:30 and entered the locker room leading, 34-26.

In the second half, the Pirates fought back to tie the game on two occasions, but were never able to regain the lead. With 12 minutes left and the score tied at 43, the Cougars went on 16-3 run sparked by a pair of Presley free throws. The Spokane, Wash., native scored 20 of her season-high 36 points, while dishing out four assists and making four steals.

Freshman Louise Brown had a breakout night, scoring 13 points and collecting nine rebounds. Brown set career marks for points scored (13), field goals attempted (10), field goals made (5), free throws attempted (3), free throws made (3), blocks (4), and minutes played (33). The Melbourne, Australia native was assisted on the glass by senior Shalie Dheensaw who grabbed eight rebounds, including seven in the second half.

With Tuesday's performance, Presley moved into 12th place on the Cougars all-time scoring list with 1,128 points, passing Darci Wellsandt (1,110).

The Cougars travel to San Juan, Puerto Rico to compete in the San Juan Shootout, Nov. 29-30, facing Michigan and No. 10 Maryland, Friday and Saturday, respectively.