WSU Women's Basketball Defeats Idaho 76-53 in Dominant Home Opener

Washington State women’s basketball secured a commanding 76-53 victory over Idaho on Monday afternoon, controlling the tempo from start to finish at Beasley Coliseum.

The Cougars utilized a relentless defensive pressure to force 18 turnovers, turning those mistakes into a massive 31-6 scoring advantage, according to a report from wsucougars.com.

The win marks a vital momentum builder for the Cougars, who sit at 1-2 on the season. By dictating the pace through efficient ball movement and interior presence, WSU managed to pull away early and maintain a comfortable cushion throughout the contest.

Game Highlights Opens in a new window

The offensive rhythm was defined by unselfish play, with WSU recording 21 assists compared to Idaho’s eight. This teamwork allowed the Cougars to convert 29 made field goals while capitalizing on key scoring bursts.

WSU’s ability to stifle Idaho’s momentum was evident in two distinct 13-0 runs. During these stretches, the Cougars also held Idaho scoreless for eight and 11 consecutive possessions, respectively. This defensive dominance translated directly to the scoreboard, providing the foundation for the blowout.

Washington state cougars center bella murekatete and guard eleonora villa celebrate a victory after a ncaa womens basketball

Individual performances were balanced across the roster, but three players stood out for their statistical contributions:

Player	Key Stat	Additional Detail
Kenzie Chatfield	18 points	Three 3-pointers and three steals
Alex Covill	17 points	8-for-12 shooting and two blocks
Eleonora Villa	16 points	Six assists and five rebounds

Chatfield’s 18-point outing set a new personal high for the season, including three shots from beyond the arc. Covill was equally efficient, shooting 66.7% from the floor to help anchor the interior scoring. Villa’s all-around game included contributing six assists and three steals, further highlighting the depth of the WSU rotation.

Ethridge/Covill/Chatfield Postgame Opens in a new window

Beyond the immediate win, the game served as a showcase for several individual career milestones. Tanja Valancic helped the defense by recording a career-high five steals alongside seven assists. The Cougars also continued a trend of interior protection, marking their second consecutive game with at least five blocks.

Eleonora Villa continues to cement her legacy within the program. With her 16-point performance, she moved up to sixth all-time in career points at WSU, currently sitting at 1,545 points. She is now just seven points shy of moving into fifth place in the program’s history.

Alex Covill TV Postgame Opens in a new window

Other notable statistical achievements from the game include:

Alex Covill reached 1,387 career minutes played.
Kenzie Chatfield reached 373 career points.
Eleonora Villa now holds 146 career made three-pointers, ranking seventh all-time at WSU.
Tanja Valancic recorded 10 rebounds during the matchup.

The Cougars’ ability to win the “small” battles—fast-break points, paint points, and bench scoring—ultimately decided the game. While Idaho attempted to claw back into the contest, including a seven-point run in the fourth quarter to reach 63-40, WSU’s response through Chatfield and Filchagina prevented any meaningful comeback.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Washington State vs. Idaho | November 9, 2026

The Cougars will look to build on this dominant defensive showing as they prepare for their next home game. WSU is scheduled to host Southern Utah on Friday, Nov. 13, at 6 p.m. in Pullman, Wash.

The upcoming contest will be a test of whether the Cougars can maintain this level of turnover creation and efficient shooting against a different style of play.