Washington State Heads to San Diego Looking to Regain Momentum in WCC Play
After a grueling non-conference slate and a season riddled with injuries, Washington State women’s basketball is back on the road this week, heading to Southern California for a Thursday night matchup against San Diego. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. PT at the Jenny Craig Pavilion, with the game streaming live on ESPN+.
The Cougars (4-20, 3-8 WCC) are looking to build on flashes of promise despite a tough season that’s tested their depth and resilience. San Diego (8-16, 2-9 WCC) presents a winnable opportunity, but nothing has come easy for this WSU squad.
What the Numbers Say
WSU’s record doesn’t tell the whole story. The Cougs were thrown into the fire early with a brutal non-conference schedule that featured ten teams currently ranked in the top 100 of the NET.
That list includes national powerhouses like No. 5 LSU and No.
22 Oregon, as well as programs on the rise like Texas Tech, Stanford, and BYU. Add in key injuries to foundational players, and it’s clear this team has been playing catch-up from the start.
Center Alex Covill, the team’s leading shot-blocker, missed 13 games. Forward Lauren Glazier was sidelined early.
And junior guard Eleonora Villa, WSU’s top scorer, has battled through lingering cramps that limited her minutes in a few key games. With a healthier roster and the toughest part of the schedule behind them, the Cougars are hoping to turn a corner down the stretch.
Villa’s Versatility Driving the Offense
Eleonora Villa continues to be the engine that drives this team. The junior guard is putting together a standout season, both in the WCC and nationally. She ranks among the top 25 in the country in total points (427), made field goals (167), and field goal attempts (349), averaging 17.8 points per game.
In the West Coast Conference, Villa leads in field goal attempts and ranks second in made field goals, total points, and scoring average. Her consistency and scoring versatility have been a lifeline for a team that’s had to shuffle lineups and lean on younger players.
She’s also climbing the program’s all-time leaderboards. Villa sits 12th in career points at WSU (1,354), just 10 points shy of cracking the top 11. She’s also close to entering the top 10 in made threes (136), made field goals (534), and career minutes played (3,172).
Fresh Faces Making an Impact
While Villa leads the way, the future is also starting to take shape. True freshman Malia Ruud has been a bright spot, averaging 8.6 points and showing flashes of high-level potential. She’s shooting 43.6% from the field and has already posted standout performances against Stanford (11 points) and Oregon (career-high 19).
Among true freshmen with at least 85 made field goals, Ruud ranks 28th nationally in field goal percentage-a sign that she’s not just getting opportunities, but making the most of them.
Redshirt freshman Keandra Koorits also made waves with a 23-point debut back in November, the highest-scoring freshman debut for WSU since 2012. That kind of scoring punch off the bench-or in the starting lineup-gives the Cougars a much-needed boost as they navigate the second half of conference play.
Rotating Lineups, Emerging Roles
Injuries and youth have forced head coach Kamie Ethridge to get creative with her rotations. WSU has used eight different starters and seven unique starting lineups this season. That instability has made it hard to build rhythm, but it’s also opened the door for younger players to gain valuable experience.
Charlotte Abraham, another key contributor, is closing in on some personal milestones of her own. With 423 career points and 240 rebounds, she’s within striking distance of the 500-point and 250-rebound marks-numbers that reflect her steady presence in the frontcourt.
Block Party with Covill
Despite missing significant time, Alex Covill remains one of the top rim protectors in WSU history. With 139 career blocks, she’s just eight away from moving into fifth place on the program’s all-time list. She’s also closing in on 500 career points and 250 rebounds, benchmarks that speak to her all-around impact when healthy.
Series History: Cougs Own the Matchup
WSU has dominated the head-to-head series with San Diego, holding a perfect 6-0 record. That includes a pair of wins last season and a 10-point victory back in 2016. The first meeting between the two programs came all the way back in 1981, when the Cougs rolled to a 66-43 win.
San Diego will be looking to flip the script and earn its first win in the series, but history-and WSU’s recent form in this matchup-favors the Cougars.
Eyes on the Next One
After Thursday’s tilt in San Diego, the Cougars will stay in Southern California for a Saturday matchup against Pepperdine in Malibu. That game tips at 1 p.m. PT and will also be broadcast on ESPN+.
With the toughest stretch of their season in the rearview and a healthier roster taking shape, WSU has a chance to build some momentum. And with players like Villa, Ruud, and Covill leading the charge, the Cougars aren’t going quietly.
They’ve taken their lumps-but they’ve also laid the groundwork for a stronger finish.