Oregon Women’s Basketball Nets First Pac 12 Win of the Year, Thomas with 20 points and 11 rebounds

Jan 19, 2012, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks coach Paul Westhead reacts during the game against the Southern California Trojans at the Galen Center. USC defeated Oregon 92-73. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports.

It has not been an easy year for Oregon Women’s Basketball. (3-16, 1-6 Pac 12). Again this year, it seems there have been a bevy of injuries to starters that seems to keep this team from reaching its potential. I have to wonder how this team would perform without the injuries they have suffered, not only this year, but what seems like every year of at least the last few.

There have been quite a few games this season that the ladies have come close to getting a victory, and that finally came at Washington State on Saturday night. Ariel Thomas had 20 points and a career high in rebounds with 11 and 8 assists. She is turning into the go-to for Oregon, which she ha actually been all along. She also made some key three pointers and landed her free throws.

Glancing at the roster you can see that this team is very young, a good part Freshman and Sophomores. Thomas is a Junior. In my opinion this team can only go up in performance. Their coach, Paul Westhead has proven that he can work at an elite level. When the season started I don’t think he saw this game as being the first conference win. I go back to the injuries, they are killers.

Young team thrive on confidence and if nothing else that department received a nice boost, on the road, albeit against Washington State, a team that has only 5 wins on the season so far. However the more important fact is that it’s a stepping stone to the next one. Washington(12-5, 4-2 Pac 12) is a little stiffer competition, but if the Ducks can get on a roll, one can hope a healthy 2013-2014 season can arrive sooner rather than later.

Justin Phillips is Sports Reporter on Newsradio 1120 KPNW in Eugene Oregon

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