Shona Thorburn, the U women basketball team’s junior point guard, had another huge game Saturday afternoon as she led the Utes to a 67-49 blowout of conference foe Wyoming.
Thorburn scored a game high 27 points and hauled in eight rebounds as the U ran its winning streak to five in a row.
Currently leading the Mountain West Conference in assists with 6.53 per game, Thorburn demonstrated that she was capable of more than just passing. With the outcome of the game still in question, she nailed a three-pointer to spark a 15-4 run late in the first half. After a close first period, the run left the Cowgirls trailing by 12 at the intermission.
Thorburn attributed her big numbers to an aggressive attitude and a desire to make things happen. By driving to the basket on several occasions early in the game, Thorburn found herself open from beyond the arc late in the game as defenders became weary of her moves. Thorburn made them pay, making three of five from the three-point line.
“I’m being more aggressive to the hole,” Thorburn said. “In the second half that opened me up for some three-pointers.”
U head coach Elaine Elliott said Thorburn will need to play with the same level of aggression seen in the Wyoming game if the Utes hope to keep winning.
“The good thing is that [Thorburn] is playing with some aggressiveness,” Elliott said. “She’s getting to the rim on people, and we have got to have that. We’ve got to have some aggressive play.”
The Utes often find themselves waiting for their usual star, junior forward Kim Smith, to make things happen. With aggressive play from a player other than Smith, the Utes are much less predictable. Though Smith still notched her eighth double-double of the year with 18 points and 10 rebounds, the added dynamic of Thorburn’s strong play make the Utes a force to reckon with.
“We can’t just hit and miss on jump shots and stand around and watch Kim [Smith] play,” Elliott said. “Shona’s play to the basket and off the dribble has been really big for us.”
In Thursday’s contest against Colorado State, Thorburn also had a big game as she scored 18 points and passed for eight assists. For her efforts in the Utes’ two games last week, Thorburn was named the MWC Player of the Week. It was the second time in her career she earned the honor.
The Utes (13-4, 2-0) improved to first place in the conference with an undefeated record during conference play, while Wyoming (10-5, 1-1) fell to a tie for fourth in the MWC after suffering its first conference loss.
The Utes open a three-game road trip this Thursday night with a game in Colorado Springs against Air Force (5-9, 0-1).