Cowgirl Kayla Woodward Ready for Second Half of Conference Play [AUDIO]

University of Wyoming freshman Kayla Woodward has earned Mountain West Women's Basketball Player of the Week honors twice this season. The last Cowgirl to accomplish that was Aubrey Vandiver, who went on to earn Player of the Year honors her senior season.

For the season, Woodward is averaging 12 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. But Woodward has stepped things up since Mountain West play began and through eight games is third in the conference in scoring with 17.8 points per game and is tied for sixth on the boards with 6.6 rebounds a game.

At the beginning of the year I was just getting used to college basketball and being a freshman and I didn't have much confidence, which I should have. I think my confidence has raised quite a bit and I'm not thinking as much on the court, I'm just playing basketball.
-Kayla Woodward

In an interview with Sportsline Live, Woodward was quick to give the credit to her teammates, who kept working hard through a tough non-conference schedule in which the Cowgirls went just 4-9. Once Mountain West play began, things started to come together for the young UW team and they now find themselves in a three-way tie for third in the conference with a 5-3 record. Woodward also praised the philosophy given to the team by Head Coach Joe Legerski, that they simply must improve at every practice and during every game.

The Cowgirls continue conference play on Saturday against New Mexico. The game is set to tip at 2:00 p.m. from the Arena-Auditorium. Coverage will begin on KOWB at 1:30 p.m.

Fans are encouraged to wear pink to the game. In conjunction with the game, the University of Wyoming Athletics Department is sponsoring the Eighth Annual Walk for Women. Along with the walk, a Silent Auction will be held with all proceeds from the event directly benefiting the Wyoming Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The walk will be held in the Arena Auditorium Concourse with registration set to begin at 10:30 a.m. The cost is $30 per person or $15 for youth (6th Grade and under) and $15 for UW Students. All participants will receive a t-shirt and lunch along with free admission to the Wyoming vs. New Mexico WBB game at 2:00 p.m. Registration can be completed at www.wyomingathletics.com, the University of Wyoming Athletics Department or the Brown and Gold Outlet.