18/17 GONZAGA (7-1) at WASHINGTON STATE (5-3)
DEC. 8 | 2 P.M. | BEASLEY COLISEUM | PULLMAN, WASH.
LIVE VIDEO | LIVE STATS
 
THE TIP-OFF
- Gonzaga will look to improve to 8-1 overall on the season Sunday at Washington State. With the win, Gonzaga will post an 8-1 start to the season for the fourth time in program history and the second-straight season. Each of the previous three season's the Zags opened with an 8-1 record, they advanced to the NCAA Tournament: 2018-19, 2013-14 and 2008-09.
- Gonzaga broke into the Associated Press Top 25 poll at No. 23 following a 76-70 overtime loss at Stanford on Nov. 17. This week, GU moved up four spots in both the Associated Press Top 25 and the Coaches Poll. GU is now No. 17 in the Coaches Poll and No. 18. in the AP Poll.
- Washington State is the second of two scheduled Pac-12 programs on Gonzaga's schedule this season. GU previously fell in overtime to then-No. 3/3 Stanford at Stanford on Nov. 17. The Bulldogs carry a 23-69 overall record against current Pac-12 programs.
- Gonzaga currently ranks second in the nation in percent attendance capacity. The Zags average 92.24 percent capacity; that's an average of 5,535 fans that fill McCarthey Athletic Center every game. 
- Gonzaga returns two starters and seven letter-winners from last season's squad that claimed the Zags' third consecutive and 15th overall West Coast Conference regular season title.
- In 2018-19, the Bulldogs advanced to their third-straight NCAA Tournament, advancing to the Second Round.
 
SCOUTING THE COUGARS
- Washington State returns nine letter-winners and three starters from last season's squad that finished 9-21 overall with a 4-14 mark in Pac-12 play, good for 10th.
- This season, the Cougars were picked to finish 10th in the preseason poll that was released in early October, coming in ahead of California and Colorado.
- Redshirt senior Borislava Hristova returns for the Cougars at small forward as a three-time All-Pac-12 selection. Earlier this season, Hristova was also selected to the Cheryl Miller Award Watch List, one of 20 players in the country.
- Through eight games this season, WSU averages 68.9 points per game shooting 44.1 percent from the floor and 35.1 percent from long range. Borislava leads the attack with 19.9 points per game shooting 48.1 percent from the floor. Chanelle Molina adds 15.6 points per game shooting 45.5 percent from the floor and 42.9 percent from long range.
- As a squad, the Cougars average an even 38.0 boards per game to go along with 13.5 assists, 6.5 steals and 3.3 blocks per game. WSU also averages 16.5 turnovers per game and have committed at least 20 turnovers twice already this season.
- Hristova also leads the charge on the glass, averaging a team-best 6.6 rebounds per game. Molina ads an even 6.0 rebounds per contest, while Ula Motuga adds 4.6.
- The Cougars opened the season with a 4-0 record, collecting wins against WCC programs Pepperdine (85-48) and BYU (67-50). It was just the fifth time in program history the Cougars had started 4-0, and the first time since the 2015-16 season. However, in the last four games Washington State has finished 1-3, dropping three-straight at the Paradise Jam Tournament, all to ranked opponents (2/2 Baylor, 5/6 South Carolina and 17/23 Indiana). The Cougars got back on the winning track with an 85-56 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Wednesday.
- In the last meeting between the two programs, Gonzaga defeated WSU 76-53 in Spokane. Five Bulldogs finished in double-figures, led by Jill Townsend with 13 points.
 
SERIES REVIEW
Overall: 18-10, Washington State leads
Home: 6-5, Gonzaga leads
Away: 10-3, Washington State leads
Last Meeting: Gonzaga won 76-53 in Spokane on Dec. 9, 2018
Streak: Gonzaga, Won 3
- Sunday's game will be the 29th time in program history that the Zags have faced the Cougars. Washington State leads the series 18-10, but Gonzaga has won the last three straight games. The two programs have met every season since 2011.
- This will mark the 13th time in program history that the Zags have played on Dec. 8. GU carries an 8-4 overall record on the date. It will also be the fifth time in program history that GU has faced WSU on Dec. 8 and the third time since 2015. The series is tied 2-2 when played on Dec. 8; the last time the Bulldogs faced WSU on Dec. 8 was in 2016. GU won 79-61 in Spokane.
 
NO THREE FOR YOU
- The Zags held Montana State scoreless from beyond-the-arc in Thursday's game in Bozeman. It marked the 17th time since the 1999-00 season--and third time under Head Coach Lisa Fortier--that Gonzaga had prevented an opponent from recording a made three. MSU finished 0-13 from long range, well below its season average of 6.2 made threes per game.