PULLMAN, Wash. – The Washington State women's basketball team opened its 2015-16 season with a 61-44 victory over UC Santa Barbara Friday evening at Beasley Coliseum. WSU used a stifling defense to force the Gauchos into 23 turnovers, including 15 steals, and held UCSB to 11-of-43 (.256) from the floor. Cougar freshman Borislava Hristova led all scorers with 15 points, while freshman Maria Kostourkova grabbed eight rebounds to lead the team.

Eleven Cougars scored in the game, including all three true freshmen, Alexys Swedlund (7 points), Maria Kostourkova (7), and Hristova (15), as well as redshirt-freshman Nike McClure (2) in their first-career starts.

Under the new NCAA rules that changed the timing of the game to four, 10-minute quarters, the Cougars found themselves trailing 13-11 at the end of the first period. WSU was able to maintain a close deficit against the Gauchos thanks to sophomore Caila Hailey and freshman Alexys Swedlund, who nabbed three steals.

Washington State went on to outscore UCSB 20-8 in the second quarter behind eight points from freshman Borislava Hristova. The Bulgarian native went 4-of-5 from the floor in the first half and led all scorers with 10 points entering the break. Sophomore Louise Brown recorded two blocks and three steals in the opening 20 minutes.

The Cougars returned from the break and held UCSB scoreless for over three minutes, building a 15-point lead. WSU never looked back, extending its lead to as large at 17 points, and led 43-28 at the end of the third quarter. Freshman Maria Kostourkova carried the Cougars in the third period, bringing in five rebounds, while scoring four points, and notching two blocks.

Late in the game, redshirt-freshmen Krystle McKenzie and Nike McClure entered the game. McClure scored her first-career points from the line, while McKenzie recorded a blocked shot. Junior Ivana Kmetovska led the Cougars in the fourth quarter, scoring seven points to help maintain WSU's double-digit lead.

WSU outrebounded the Gauchos 50-41, including 27-14 on the offensive glass. The Cougars blocked nine shots in the game and scored 25 points off UCSB turnovers.

The Cougars continue their season-opening homestand Monday, Nov. 16, against Hampton. WSU and the Lady Pirates will tip off at 7 p.m. inside Beasley Coliseum.