PULLMAN, Wash. (February 12, 2026) – Washington State women's basketball surged out to a dominant start and battled for 40 minutes Thursday night, but a second-quarter three-point run from Portland proved decisive in a 68-61 setback at Beasley Coliseum.

The Cougars (5-22, 4-10 WCC) finished with eight steals, three blocks and 16 assists, continuing to show offensive efficiency and defensive intensity in conference play.

Charlotte Abraham led Washington State with 18 points, eight rebounds, four steals and two blocks, shooting 7-of-13 from the field.

Eleonora Villa added 15 points and seven assists, while Alex Covill chipped in 13 points, seven rebounds and three blocks.

WSU shot 51 percent (22-of-43) and outscored Portland 32-16 in the paint.

The Cougs held the Pilots to just two first-quarter points and built a 14-2 lead after 10 minutes, forcing six turnovers and controlling the paint early. WSU extended the margin to 18-4 in the second before Portland caught fire from deep, knocking down seven three-pointers in the quarter and closing the half on a 12-0 run to take a 31-27 edge into the break.

Out of the locker room, Tanja Valancic knocked down a three before Abraham buried a transition triple to tie the game at 33-33. Covill finished inside to briefly give WSU the lead, and Villa attacked the rim during a back-and-forth third quarter. Portland regained control late in the frame to carry a nine-point lead into the fourth.

Washington State continued to press, cutting the margin to single digits and going perfect at the free-throw line in the final period, but timely Portland baskets held off the comeback attempt.


Notes

• Eleonora Villa's 15 points puts her at 1,384 career points, 11th in program history and 101 from 10th (1,485).
• Villa has 136 career made threes, 10th all-time at WSU and five away from 9th (141).
• Villa's six makes puts her at 545 made field goals for her career, ninth all-time at WSU, and 31 from t-seventh (576).
• Now at 3,276 career minutes played, Villa is 47 from top-10 all-time at WSU (3,323).
• Alex Covill tallied two blocks to move to 144 career blocks, sixth all-time in program history and three from moving up to fifth (147).
• Covill has 242 career rebounds, eight away from 250, and 459 career points, 41 from 500.
• Charlotte Abraham's 18 points puts her at 472 career points, 28 away from 500.
• Abraham's eight rebounds put her at 170 for the season, 67 away from top-10 all-time at WSU in a single-season (237).
• Abraham also now has 257 career rebounds, surpassing the 250 milestone for her career.
• Abraham's four steals matched a career-high mark.
• Villa's seven assists was a career-best.

Up Next
The Cougars have their final road trip of the regular season coming up next weekend, beginning at Gonzaga on Thursday, Feb. 19 at 6 p.m. and then at Oregon State on Saturday, Feb. 21 at 1 p.m. Both games will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

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).