Second-Half Surge Sends Cougars Past Seattle U

Thursday, February 26

Pullman, Wash.

6 PM

Washington State University

6-24,5-12WCC

Seattle University

5-23,1-16WCC

Seattle U

Washington St.

Photo by: Ashley Davis

February 26, 2026 | Women's Basketball

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By: Washington State Athletic Communications

PULLMAN, Wash. (February 26, 2026) – Washington State women's basketball put together one of its most complete performances of the season Thursday night at Beasley Coliseum, using defensive pressure, second-half execution, and balanced scoring to pull away from Seattle U for a 69-55 win.

The Cougars (6-24, 5-12 WCC) finished with a 46-29 rebounding advantage and scored 34 points in the paint, while also converting a school record 17-of-17 at the free-throw line.

Alex Covill led the Cougars with 18 points, Eleonora Villa added 15, and Mackenzie Chatfield filled the stat sheet with seven assists and three steals.

The Cougars set the tone early, forcing six Redhawk turnovers in the opening quarter and turning them into easy opportunities on both ends of the floor. Covill established a presence inside right away, while Tanja Valancic knocked down a first-quarter three as WSU raced out to a 21-9 lead after one.

Seattle U briefly slowed the pace in the second quarter, but Washington State's work on the glass and in transition kept the Cougars in control. Despite a quieter offensive stretch, WSU still carried a 29-22 advantage into halftime behind 23 first-half rebounds and eight points at the free-throw line.

The game turned decisively coming out of the break. Washington State opened the third quarter with a defensive spark, forcing turnovers on three of Seattle U's first five possessions. Charlotte Abraham drilled a transition three, Villa scored inside on back-to-back possessions, and Covill added points at the stripe as the Cougars pushed the lead to double figures. WSU outscored the Redhawks 24-15 in the period and took a commanding 53-37 edge into the fourth.

Seattle U made a brief push early in the final quarter, but Washington State answered each time. Chatfield controlled the tempo, finding teammates for baskets in the paint, while Jean Chiu and Malvina Haziri both connected from deep to keep momentum firmly on the Cougars' side. Covill capped the night with a layup off a Chatfield assist to make it 69-53 with just over two minutes remaining, effectively sealing the win.

Notes

Eleonora Villa's 15 points puts her at 1,414 career points, 11th in program history and 71 from 10th (1,485).
Villa has 136 career made threes, 10th all-time at WSU and five away from 9th (141).
Villa's five make puts her at 557 made field goals for her career, ninth all-time at WSU, and 19 from t-seventh (576).
Now at 3,368 career minutes played, Villa is ninth all-time at WSU, and 27 from eighth (3,395).
Alex Covill remains at 146 career blocks, sixth all-time in program history and one from moving up to fifth (147).
Covill's 18 points moved her past the 500 career point mark as she now has 502.
Covill's seven rebounds moved her past the 250 career rebound mark as she now has 256.
Charlotte Abraham's nine points puts her at 487 career points, 13 away from 500.
Abraham's six rebounds put her at 191 for the season, 46 away from top-10 all-time at WSU in a single-season (237).
The team's 17-of-17 shooting from the free throw line was a school record, besting the program's 15-of-15 showing 25 years ago against Oregon on Jan. 20, 2001.
Covill had a career-best 8-of-8 free throw performance.
Villa matched a career-high mark with seven rebounds.
The team's 16 offensive rebounds tied for the second-most in a game this season.
WSU's 46 total rebounds was third-most in a game this year.
The Cougs surrendered only nine turnovers in the game, matching a season-best mark.

Up Next
The Cougars play their season finale, hosting Saint Mary's on Saturday, Feb. 28 at 12 p.m. noon. This will be the team's Senior Day game with the program's seniors being honored with a post-game ceremony immediately following play. 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).