A shining senior - Vanguard

Basketball star Eryn Jones finishes out her last year at Portland state

In her junior season, guard Eryn Jones amazed Viking fans when she became the first Portland State women’s basketball player to be awarded MVP in the Big Sky Conference. Since then, the now-senior has struggled with injuries that have limited her record-breaking performances. Despite that, she still remains a leader for her team. As the point guard nears the end of her collegiate career, she said it hasn’t hit her that this really is the last season.

Eryn Jones as a player: She has a mean outside shot, and her three-point success has shined through her years at Portland State. In her junior year, the point guard went six-for-six from outside the arc against Idaho State. She tied the 22-year-old record for most three-point baskets on a perfect percentage. But her honors do not end at three-point shots, Jones has excelled in various offensive categories: — Karl Kuchs / Vanguard staff

Jones has started every game this season and is known for her three-point shooting. The guard dominates the Vikings’ three-point field goals with a season total of 58.―Teammate Courtney VanBrocklin comes in second with 21. Head coach Sherri Murrell said that Jones is someone who uses her ability to lead her teammates.

“She is a leader more by example and how she plays,” Murrell said.

In her final season, Jones has started thinking about her future on and off the court. The guard said that she plans to go to graduate school for physical education but hopes to go on a year abroad before that.

“I’m thinking about playing overseas,” Jones said. “I’m kind of just waiting to see how the rest of the season goes and how my body is to see if I have some options (to play) after college and before grad school.”

The guard has been playing basketball since she was a child, and said she finds it hard to imagine a life without it. She got into basketball after being a spectator at her older sister’s practices.

“I love it. I’ve always loved basketball,” Jones said. “I have played a bunch of other sports but I have the most fun with basketball. I don’t think of it as a job or something that is hard. It’s mostly just fun, and at the end of the day, I always still enjoy it.”

Counting success: Jones sits back in an off-moment in the Stott Center. The senior, who saw big success last season, has sizable plans for the future. — Drew Martig / Vanguard Staff

While knee injuries have limited some of Jones’ ability to be successful at the point guard position, she has nonetheless been a force to reckon with on the team. She has scored in double digits in the past four games and also leads the team in assists this season.

“I think it really makes me just have to just focus on the days when I do feel good,” Jones said. “Appreciate the good days and know I have to play through it. I know it’s still going to be okay because I have a lot of good support beside me, because my teammates can score and pass and keep the plays going.”

The Vikings recently ended their four-game losing streak by winning two at home. Jones said that games like this highlight the team’s increased ability to communicate well on the court.

“I think we’ve gotten better at coming together more and trying to play well off of each other and playing more as a team,” she said.

Jones recently joined the 1,000 point club at PSU—as of last weekend the senior has 1,255 points. Besides her MVP award last year, Jones was also named to All-Big Sky Conference first team by a unanimous vote and Big Sky Conference All-Tournament team.

“She has had tremendous personal and team success here at PSU,” Murrell said.

With Jones and fellow seniors Shauneice Samms and Stephanie Egwuatu ending their careers at PSU this year, Jones said she wants them to have a successful last season.

“I really want to end on a good note and have a good feeling,” Jones said. “I just really want to go to the NCAA tournament again. It’s something I really want to do.”

Jones said that she looks forward to seeing the younger players step up as leaders on the team.

Jones and the rest of the Viking squad are back in action at home today against non-conference Seattle at 7 p.m. and again on Saturday against Sacramento State at 7 p.m.