Ashley Thomas is finding her rhythm, and it couldn’t happen at a better time for Eastern’s women’s basketball team.

The sophomore guard sat out 12 weeks of the preseason recovering from a fractured vertebra in her back. While sitting out, she couldn’t run or even shoot.

Her back was healthy when the season started, but she had a long way to go get back in shape and in the flow with her teammates. She needed her rhythm.

Eastern head women’s basketball coach Brady Sallee said it takes a lot out of an athlete to be out that long. He said it took hard work for her not only to get back on the floor, but to get her strength, explosiveness and timing back.

“You could see it getting better from week to week,” Sallee said. “And what you saw this weekend was a kid who is feeling healthy and is starting to get her rhythm back.”

Thomas scored 13 points Thursday night in a win at Jacksonville State, and then scored a season-high 19 points in Saturday’s double-overtime loss at Samford. Against Samford she was 5-for-8 on 3-pointers, with her biggest shot coming with three seconds left in the first overtime to tie the game and sent it to another five extra minutes.

“(Shooting well) did a lot for my confidence,” Thomas said. “I felt comfortable with my shot, and I wanted the ball.”

Red-shirt sophomore guard Megan Edwards said Thomas is always in the gym and shooting is the biggest attribute she brings to the team.

Sallee said her shooting ability and movement without the basketball make her a great fit in Eastern’s motion offense.

“In that system, you have to have people that can knock down shots,” Sallee said. “As good as (junior forward) Rachel Galligan has been, teams are starting to double and triple-team her. For us to be successful, we need threats from the perimeter, and Ashley is a huge weapon in our offense.”

Thomas is happy to be finding her rhythm and baskets as the team heads into the final stretch of the season.

“This is when you want to be your best,” she said.

“We have to step it up a notch now that we are in February,” Sallee said. “The team knows that.”

Eastern is in second place in the Ohio Valley Conference, just a half-game behind Southeast Missouri.

Sallee said Thomas would play a major role in finishing out a successful season. The Panthers will rely on her not only for her shooting, but will also need her to play well defensively.

Edwards said Thomas’ performance against Samford boosted her confidence, and Thomas would continue to be successful through the end of the season.

“I just want to keep shooting well, improve on my defense and take care of the ball,” Thomas said. “I want to contribute any way I can and help the team win.”

Micky Deming can be reached at 581-7944 or at jmdeming@eiu.edu.

Sophomore Guard Ashley Thomas sent the Panthers into double overtime last weekend with a key three-pointer against Samford. (John Bailey / The Daily Eastern News)

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