Success in college is meant to be a resume builder, and the Washington State women’s basketball team has the opportunity to do exactly that.

The Cougars hope to make a late NCAA Tournament push with victories in their next two games, starting with tonight’s contest against the No. 18 California Golden Bears (20-7, 12-4). After that it’ll be another showdown with the No. 5 Stanford Cardinal (26-2, 15-1). With wins over these opponents, Washington State (15-3, 9-7) could have the resume to join the final four teams in the Big Dance.

The last time WSU faced California and Stanford, the weekend was a roller coaster. Against Stanford, the Cougars fought hard and even led late in the game before ultimately falling short. Against the Golden Bears, Washington State came out with little intensity and surrendered a 19-0 scoring run in the second half, resulting in their demise.

However, with spirits high and players hoping the momentum carries from their Oregon game, the team needs to execute these three areas in order to have a successful stint in California:

Remain proficient offensively

Against the Oregon Ducks, it seemed as though WSU couldn’t miss a shot in the second half. Leading in scoring were junior Tia Presley and sophomore Lia Galdeira, but it was sophomore Dawnyelle Awa who channeled her inner Steve Nash and dished a career high eight assists.

“It wasn’t just my passes, everyone was making shots and that’s how I got so many assists,” Awa said.

Washington State enters this week of play as the fourth best scoring offense in the Pac-12 conference. Galdeira and Presley are in the top ten in points per game.

In Sunday’s game, the Cougars tallied 42 shots and 79 attempts. Daugherty said the statistics are indicative of how the style of the other team can impact a game, but if WSU shoots anywhere close to the percentage they did this past game (53.2 percent) the Cougars have a shot to be victorious this weekend.

Rebound, rebound, rebound

After the win against Oregon, Daugherty said rebounding was the first category her team inquired about. Since playing Utah the second time, a trend has emerged with this group; if they win or tie the rebounding war, they win the game.

“We were just really physical and we didn’t allow the post to get all the rebounds. The guards were trying to help and get in there and be physical as well,” Presley said. “If we can get a lot of contribution on the rebounding end from everybody then we should be able to stay with [California and Stanford].”

Awa echoed Presley’s statement about crashing the glass. Awa said that everyone needs to contribute in rebounding, guards included.

Battle defensively

The Cougars have had trouble with post players, and this week it gets even tougher. Stanford’s Chiney Ogwumike, who Daugherty said is one of the best players in the NCAA, and Cal’s Reshanda Gray gave WSU problems in their last meeting. Both players posted double-doubles in Pullman, Gray with 24 points and 10 rebounds, Ogwumike with 36 points and 17 boards. Containing both of these post players will be a key factor in the Cougars’ triumph.

“We know their strengths and weaknesses so we just have to attack what we can and do what we can,” Awa said.

Daugherty said there is not a big enough container to hold Ogwumike, but the game plan for the post players is to throw more double teams and give them different looks in hopes to disrupt the lob pass.

Washington State faces California tonight at 6 p.m. in Haas Pavilion.