BYU faces Washington State in all-Cougar matchup on the Palouse

BYU takes on Washington State for the first time since Amber Whiting's first win as BYU's head coach.

Author Austin Rustand
BYU faces Washington State in all-Cougar matchup on the PalouseBYU faces Washington State in all-Cougar matchup on the Palouse

PROVO, Utah — BYU takes on Washington State in an all-Cougars matchup on the Palouse on Friday evening in Pullman. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. MT with the game streamed on ESPN+. Fans can also tune in to BYU Radio 107.9 FM, byuradio.org and the BYU Radio app for play-by-play with Jason Shepherd.

Matchup Breakdown
Friday night's game will be the 14th battle of the Cougars in the series between BYU and Washington State. The Cougars from Provo hold a 7-6 lead in the all-time series, but Wazzu holds the advantage on the Palouse, 4-1. 

The last meeting between BYU and Washington State came on Nov. 18, 2022, in Laie, Hawaii. BYU knocked off WSU by a score of 65-56 to earn head coach Amber Whiting her first career win as the Cougars' head coach.

All-Time: 7-6

At Washington State: 1-4

Whiting vs. Washinton State: 1-0

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BYU COUGARS  ||  8-2, 0-0  ||  Big 12 Conference

WHAT'S AT STAKE || With a win, Whiting would move to 2-0 against Washington State and extend BYU’s win streak to three against Wazzu. The Cougars would also record nine wins in non-conference play for just the sixth time in the last 14 seasons. Whiting’s first career win came against WSU on Nov. 18, 2022.

MASTERING THE THIRD || The Cougars have dominated the third quarter so far this year. In the third period alone, BYU is outscoring its opponents 19.6 to 13.4 and outshooting opponents 49.9 percent to 30.6 (+19.2%). In the win over Utah Valley, the Cougars held the UVU to just five points and without a made field goal in the third quarter.

SOMETIMES YOU, SOMETIMES ME, ALWAYS US || The Cougars have had four different players lead in scoring over the last four games with Emma Calvert and Lauren Davenport notching career-high scoring performances in BYU's wins over UTEP (27) and Utah Valley (20), respectively.

DEFENSE IS THE CALLING CARD || Coach Whiting calls defense the silver bullet to her team’s success. In the six wins this season, the Cougars have held opponents to 58.4 points and 35.4 percent from the field. In losses, opponents have shot 45.5 percent from the floor and averaged 67.5 points.

RUN-AND-GUN  ||  With a new roster, the Cougars retooled their offensive approach, playing a four- and five-out system built on playing with pace, space and casting from three. The Cougars have attempted 24.5 3-point field goals per game this season, 5.3 more than their 2023-24 average, and making 8.1 per contest. In wins, BYU shoots an efficient 37.4 percent from behind the arc in contrast to 21.5 percent in its two defeats.

Head Coach – Amber Whiting

  • Alma Mater: BYU, 2001
  • Division I Career Record: 40-35  ||  3rd Season
  • Record at BYU: 40-35  ||  3rd Season

WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS  ||  4-5, 0-0  ||  West Coast Conference 

NOT IN THE COUGARS' HOUSE  ||  Washington State is averaging the fifth-most blocks in the country with 63 total and 7.0 blocks per game. The Cougars' 63 blocks lead the West Coast Conference by 17 blocks over Pacific which sits at 46. San Francisco is second in the WCC at 4.9 blocks, 2.1 behind Wazzu.

PROTECTING THE COLISEUM  ||  Despite starting the season 4-5, the Cougars are a perfect 2-0 on their home floor. WSU also holds a 4-1 advantage in the series against BYU in Pullman and has won the last two meetings on the Palouse.

INTERNATIONAL COUGARS  ||  The Cougars from Pullman have four current players who have suited up for their respective national teams. Jen Chiu competed for the Chinese Taipei U16 and U18 teams. Eleonora Villa played for the Italian National Team. Astera Tuhina is the youngest player to ever play for the Kosovo National Team. Keandra Koorits suited up for the Estonian National Team.

Head Coach – Kamie Ethridge

  • Alma Mater: Texas, 1986
  • Career Record: 182-139  ||  11th Season
  • Record at Washington State: 99-95  ||  7th Season