Women's Basketball opens Western State Conference play this week with a pair of games against the circuit.  In the latest regional poll (December 18) Cougars the Cougars landed in the Top 20, behind #12 Ventura and ahead of Los Angeles Pierce.  The Cougars open the week at Santa Barbara on Wednesday (7 PM), but also get a shot on their home floor against Ventura, when the Pirates come to SLO on Saturday (5 PM).  Both games are men's and women's doubleheaders with the men playing the opener starting two hours before the women's game.  

Last week, Cuesta ended its pre-conference schedule on the road against #8 Glendale.  The Vaqueros and Cougars were close for three quarters, but Glendale ran away from the Cuesta in the final quarter, 22-9, to secure the victory, 67-44.  The Cougars only had seven players available for the game and five them logged personal season-highs for minutes on the floor.  The Cougars enter WSC play with an 11-5 overall record, which marks the program's largest win total entering conference play since 2015.