Sewell lights up the boxscore

Cowgirls sophomore Chaundra Sewell has been a high-energy player in her short tenure at Wyoming. Elbows flying and pure hustle up and down the court. She has been a crowd favorite from the beginning.

In her previous time off the bench, the 6-foot-1 forward did many things a team needs that doesn't always show up in the boxscore.

Until Saturday, that is.

Sewell started her first game as a Cowgirl and played a career-best 37 minutes, scored a career-high 23 points, grabbed eight rebounds and dished out four assists in the 68-55 win over Idaho in the Arena-Auditorium.

To put this linescore in perspective, her previous high in points was 11 and she went into Saturday's game averaging 4.8 points per contest.

Sewell got the start with junior Kristen Scheffler now out for the season with her chronic bad back. While the news is certainly disappointing for Scheffler, the Cowgirls and the UW faithful in the stands, Sewell's performance was not only an eye-opener, but it gives all involved an adrenaline shot of optimism.

Without Scheffler, Wyoming certainly needs another scoring option to go along with go-to seniors Aubrey Vandiver and Hillary Carlson. A more consistent offensive effort from senior forward Jade Kennedy and senior guard Randi Richardson -- who both do a fine job in other aspects of the game -- will help the depth-challenged Cowgirls down the road, especially once they reach Mountain West Conference play.

"For Chaundra to get her first start, play 37 minutes and get 23 points and eight rebounds, she was a force out there on the court," Wyoming coach Joe Legerski told the media after the Cowgirls win over the Vandals.

Was this a one-time highlight for Sewell? Not necessarily because the gangly forward has shown signs of offensive prowess. Yet, to think the Cowgirls are going to get 23 and 8 every time out is unrealistic, especially for a young player who is really just getting her feet wet.

But it was that type of effort and performance that will get noticed from around the league -- and if that happens -- it could open up a lane or two for Vandiver and Carlson.

One highlight game does not make a career, but it's not a bad way to make your first start.