Women's Hoop Review XXIII

West Virginia 88 - Ohio 79

A much anticipated matchup between exciting scorers CeCe Hooks and Kysre Gondrezick took place, Monday night as Ohio (3-2) travelled to West Virginia (6-2).

West Virginia's Gondrezick led her team to victory with 24 points and eight assists. The senior guard didn't commit a single turnover while also collecting three steals. Her 40 minutes of action was the second time this season that she played as many minutes. Gondrezick is averaging a career best 18.7 points while shooting 45 percent which is also a career mark.

Hooks dropped in a game high 29 points, as she knocked down nine-of-11 free-throws. Hooks is averaging 25.6 points per game. After scoring 18 points in the season opener, she has scored at least 23 points in every game since.

The Bobcats dominated the first half, taking a 42-30 lead into the intermission. West Virginia made some adjustments and outscored Ohio 26-15 in the third quarter. The Mountaineers beat Ohio 32-22 in the fourth as well to get their sixth win of the season.

Ohio senior forward Erica Johnson helped Hooks in the scoring department with 27 points as she canned five-of-nine three-point attempts. She is averaging 24.4 per game.

Below: Erica Johnson

Where West Virginia won things was in the assist-to-turnover area. The Mountaineers had 23 assists opposed to 13 turnovers. Ohio had 13 turnovers as well but only nine assists. WVU point guard Madisen Smith had six assists and just three turnovers to go along with 10 points.

WVU sophomore guard Kirsten Deans, who has improved from her freshman season scored a season best 21 points. This year she is averaging 11.1 points while shooting 47 percent from three. Last year she averaged 5.4 points and shot 27 percent from beyond the arc.

Below: Kirsten Deans

Another West Virginia sophomore who is on an upward trajectory is forward Esmery Martinez. She is one of the elite rebounders in the nation with an average of 14 rebounds per game. Against Ohio, Martinez grabbed 15 rebounds and scored 16 points. It was the fourth game this season where she had at least 15 rebounds. Martinez tied her season high with four assists.

Above: Esmery Martinez

Oregon 69 - Washington State 65

After a rough first half, Oregon (7-0) grinded out a win over Pac-12 opponent, host Washington State (3-1).

Below: Nyara Sabally

Nyara Sabally a 6-5 junior forward, muscled Oregon to a victory behind a 19-point, 14-rebound and two-block performance. Erin Boley joined Sabally in the starting front court adding 18 points, behind a five-of-five three-point shooting performance.

While Sabally and Boley combined for 37 points and 18 boards, Washington State's starting frontcourt of Ula Motuga and Bella Murekatete were a bit outmatched with just 17 points and seven rebounds together.

Below: Erin Boley

Washington State's Charlisse Leger-Walker led all players with 20 points. The 5-10 freshman guard is leading her team with an average of 20.5 points. Sabally's effort gave her a double-double for the second time this season. She was one point away from her season high 20 points that she scored against Colorado in a nine-of-nine shooting performance, Dec. 4.

San Jose State 78 - Utah State 73

Host San Jose State (2-0) rallied back from a 36-30 halftime deficit to win its second game of the season.

Power forward, Tyra Whitehead recorded her second double-double in as many games with 18 points and 10 rebounds. She also dished out five assists while registering two steals and two blocks. After two games she is averaging 15 points and 10 rebounds. Last season she averaged career highs of 13.9 points and 10.2 rebounds.

Below: Tyra Whitehead

Whitehead's teammate senior Meghan Oberg also pitched in 18 points for San Jose State. After going scoreless in 14 minutes of action in the season opener against Cal, Oberg bounced back with a great performance off of the bench against Utah State. The 6-1 forward from Islip, New York made four-of-five three-pointers, pulled down seven rebounds and blocked two shots.

Below: Meghan Oberg

Utah State was led by junior reserve guard Bre Matthews' 22 points. It was her first game in double figures this season.