Sarah Hedgepeth rides the bench due to an injury.

Portland State women’s basketball is suffering as its leading scorer and rebounder, senior forward Sarah Hedgepeth, sits on the bench due to injury.

Hedgepeth has been out for the last two games due to a torn ligament in her left wrist.

When asked how it felt to be on the sidelines watching her team, and not on the court playing, Hedgepeth replied, “It’s really hard. It’s the first time I have ever been out in my whole career of basketball. I can’t do anything about what’s happening on the court sitting on the sidelines with a cast on my wrist. Normally I can go out and help, and have an impact on the game.”

Sitting on the sideline for the first time in her 11 year career as a basketball player, in her senior year of college, has taken a toll on both Sarah and her teammates.

“Without Sarah, we don’t have some of the dynamics athletically that we do with her,” said head coach George Wolfe. “She averages double figures in both points and rebounds as well as attracts a lot of attention from opposing teams’ defenses. They have to account for her on every possession.”

Just recently, Hedgepeth became the fourth women’s basketball player at Portland State to reach 700 rebounds.

She doesn’t know when she will be back on the court, but hopes to be back in time to play against Eastern Washington on Jan 24. But until then, basketball fans will be wishing for her to get well soon.