PULLMAN, Wash. – Senior Borislava Hristova's 23-point performance moved her into second place on the Washington State University women's basketball all-time scoring list, as the Cougars knocked off Pepperdine, 85-48, in their 2019-20 season opener on Tuesday at Beasley Colesium.

Known as #BobiBuckets, the senior from Bulgaria surpassed Lia Galdeira's (2012-15) 1,710 career points with her second basket of the third quarter. Hristova entered the half with eight points, but warmed up in final two quarters of play, as she collected 15 of her game-best 23 points in the final 20 minutes of action. The senior was deadly from the floor all night, as she shot an even 50% - 7-of-14 – in the victory

Hristova was one of four players to start their 2019-20 campaigns with double digits in the scoring column. Senior Chanelle Molina collected 13 points, while freshmen Bella Murekatete and Emma Nankervis each posted 10 points in their WSU debuts.

Washington State came out of the gate on fire against Pepperdine, as they opened the year hitting 10 of the first 13 shots from the floor, to build a 13-point advantage early in the second quarter.

The Cougs turned up the defensive pressure after the first 10 minutes of play, limiting the Wave to just 28.2% - 11-of-39 – from the field. WSU also took advantage of Pepperdine's miscues and collected 19 points off 16 turnovers. Washington State locked down the Wave in the fourth quarter, as Pepperdine did not record its first bucket in the frame until the 3:04 mark. The Cougs led by as many as 40 points in the quarter before settling for the 37-point victory.

In total, 10 of the 11 Washington State players who played in tonight's season opener scored a bucket, while tonight's 85 points marks the ninth time in program history that Washington State has scored 80-or-more points in a season opener.  

Coug Quotes
Head Coach Kamie Ethridge on Tonight's Victory: "I'm thrilled with our team and our performance. You never know how you're going to perform once the lights turn on. I thought defensive we were really on point and it gave us great momentum throughout the entire game. We had a spectacular performance offensively from Bobi, she got us going. There is not much that I can be unhappy about tonight. It was a (complete) game for us that gives us confidence in what we are doing."

Coach Ethridge on Tonight's Defensive Performance: "We really want to be a more physical team this year. We've got a lot more depth this season and there are a lot of ways to be physical and tough. It's running the floor hard, making unbelievable cuts, screening and boxing out. Those are areas that we wanted to get better at, so that we can withstand nights where the ball doesn't go into the basket."

Coach Ethridge Hristova Moving into Second on the WSU All-Time Scoring List: "I'm really proud of Bobi. People don't realize how much she struggled last year with all the things she was going through physically, mentally and emotionally. She had a great summer, she worked her tail off and she is doing so many great things for us. Not just offensively, but she is trying (to improve) on the defensive end and with being a leader. Now, it's just a matter of time before she is on top (of the scoring list)."

Senior Borislava Hristova on Becoming Second on the WSU All-Time Scoring List: "It's just an honor to be up there with so many great players before me. (Being in second place) really makes me want to continue to work hard and to help make my team better every day."

Coug Notes
- With 23 points tonight, senior Borislava Hristova moves into second place on the Washington State women's basketball all-time scoring list. She now has 1,722 career points, needing only 246 points to surpass Jeanne Eggart's (1977-82) program record of 1,967 points.

- Hristova's 23-point performance gives the Bulgarian native her eighth career game with 20-or-more points.

- Tonight's win over Pepperdine gives the Cougars a 2-1 edge in the series history. Washington State has now won two-straight games in the abbreviated series, however, the previous win came almost 14 years ago exactly. WSU posted a 66-57 win over the Wave in Beasley Coliseum on Nov. 18, 2005.

- Tonight's 37-point victory marks the first 30-plus-point victory for the Cougars since knocking off Washington by 33 points in Beasley on Feb. 15, 2019 .

- Washington State outrebounded Pepperdine, 43-27, which included 10 offensive rebounds. That effort led to a 11-1 advantage in second-chance points, while the Cougs held a 44-20 edge in points the paint.

- Freshmen Emma Nankervis and Bella Murekatete combined for 20 points and eight rebounds tonight. Nankervis received the start in her debut and contributed 10 points and four assists. Murekatete matched her teammate's point total, while adding five rebounds and three steals in 11 minutes off the bench.

- All three Molina sisters found themselves in the scoring column in tonight's win, as Chanelle posted 13 points, Cherilyn had five points and Celena collected two points.

Washington State returns to action this Saturday at Beasley Coliseum, as the Cougars host BYU. Tip-off from Pullman is set for 1 p.m.  For more information, photos, videos and a behind-the-scenes look on the Washington State women's basketball team, follow the Cougars on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.