Preview: Pepperdine Waves at Washington State Cougars NEBRASKA CITY, Neb. (Interstat) — A surging Pepperdine women’s basketball team will look to extend its winning streak against a struggling Washington State squad when the Waves visit the Cougars at Beasley Coliseum on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. The nonconference matchup, organized by the West Coast, features teams on opposite trajectories. Pepperdine (9-3) enters having won five of its last six games, including a 69-63 victory over Cal State Northridge on Dec. 20. Washington State (1-12) seeks to halt a seven-game skid, most recently a 67-62 loss at Penn on Dec. 19. The Waves are led by guard Lina Falk, who has scored in double figures in five of the last six contests. She posted 18 points in 30 minutes against Cal State Northridge and is averaging 15.2 points per game over her last five outings. Shorna Preston (13 points) and Meghan Fiso (9 points) provided key support in the latest win. Washington State’s bright spot has been guard Eleonora Villa, who has shouldered a heavy offensive load. Villa is coming off a 21-point, 6-assist performance in the loss to Penn and has averaged 18.3 points over her last five games. She will need similar production to challenge a Pepperdine defense that has held opponents to 65 points or fewer in four of its last five wins. The Cougars’ season has been defined by narrow defeats and a tough schedule, including losses to ranked opponents LSU and Stanford. Four of their 12 losses have been by six points or fewer, indicating an ability to compete that has not yet translated to victories. Pepperdine’s balanced attack and winning momentum present a significant challenge for a Washington State team still searching for consistency. The Waves have shown resilience, rebounding from an overtime loss to North Dakota State on Dec. 16 with two straight wins. This game serves as a final nonconference tune-up for both programs before league play intensifies in the new year. Pepperdine opens West Coast Conference action at Gonzaga on Dec. 30, while Washington State hosts Loyola Marymount on the same date. Tipoff is set for Sunday afternoon at Beasley Coliseum.