PULLMAN, Wash. (December 28, 2025) – Washington State women's basketball shook off a slow start and used a strong second half to earn a 66-63 win over Pepperdine on Sunday at Beasley Coliseum, opening West Coast Conference play with a hard-fought victory.

The Cougars (2-12, 1-0 WCC) outrebounded Pepperdine 34-33, and outscored them 16-2 in second-chance points and 18-4 in points off turnovers.

Charlotte Abraham recorded her first-career double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds, and Eleonora Villa led the scoring attack with 17 points.

Malia Ruud chipped in 10 points, and Mackenzie Chatfield finished with nine points, four rebounds and five assists.

After managing just eight points in the first quarter, Washington State stayed within striking distance with defensive pressure and rebounding. WSU found its footing in the second quarter behind Mackenzie Chatfield and Tanja Valancic, while Charlotte Abraham drained two late three-pointers to spark a 7-2 closing run and give the Cougars a 24-23 halftime lead.

Momentum swung decisively after the break. Eleonora Villa attacked the lane, Marta Alsina knocked down a three, and Washington State strung together four straight scoring possessions to seize control. Villa's three-pointer in the closing seconds of the third quarter pushed the Cougars ahead 44-39 entering the fourth.

Washington State opened the final period with confidence, as Malia Ruud scored inside and Abraham connected from deep to stretch the lead to 49-39. Pepperdine answered with timely shooting, but each push was met by a Cougar response. Villa's steady playmaking, Abraham's shot-making and Ruud's physical finishes helped WSU maintain its edge.

The Waves cut the deficit to three late, but Washington State stayed composed, securing key rebounds and defensive stops down the stretch to close out the win.


Notes

• Eleonora Villa's 17 points puts her at 1,167 career points, moving up to 16th in program history and 21 from 15th.
• Villa made one 3-pointer, putting her at 119 career made threes, 14 away from joining the WSU all-time top-10 list.
• Villa also made seven field goals, totaling 462 career made field goals, 38 from 500.
• Now at 2,800 career minutes played, Villa is 200 away from 3,000 and 523 from top-10 all-time at WSU.
• Alex Covill remains at 118 career blocks, seventh all-time in program history.
• Covill also has 200 career rebounds, 50 away from 250, and 341 career points, 159 from 500.
• Charlotte Abraham's first career double-double is also the first by any Cougar this season.
• Abraham's 10 rebounds and four made threes both tied career-high marks.
• Malia Ruud tied her career-best with two steals.
• The team's nine turnovers was the fewest in a game this season.
• WSU made eight made threes, tied for the second-most in a game this season.

Up Next
The Cougars will turn around and host LMU on Tuesday, Dec. 30 at 6 p.m. PT. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+ with Trevor Williams and Mary Murphy on the call.

Single-game tickets for the 2025-26 Women's Basketball season are on sale now. Fans wishing to purchase tickets can click on the link HERE, visit wsucougars.com to order online, or call the WSU Athletics Ticket Office at 1-800-GO-COUGS.

For all the latest WSU women's basketball news, photos and videos, like the team on Facebook (facebook.com/WSUCougarWBB), or follow on Twitter (@WSUCougarWBB) and Instagram (@wsucougarwbb).