For Jamie Craighead, the numbers speak for themselves.
In her career, the senior has made 166 three-pointers (second all time), including 53 this season. For her career, she has shot 37 percent from beyond the arc, sixth best in Oregon history.
But the number that may be the most outstanding is the first one listed on a statistical sheet: games played.
For her career, Craighead has played in 102 contests for the Ducks. Of those 102, the last 35 have been starts.
In her 100th career game, played two weeks ago against Washington State in the Pacific-10 Conference Tournament, Craighead helped pace the Ducks to victory with eight points, including two three-pointers.
In three games in the tournament, the Elma, Wash., native contributed 25 points. More importantly, she provided a presence from outside, hitting on half of her three-pointers (6-of-12).
Now that the Ducks have failed to make it nine straight NCAA Tournament appearances, does the appeal of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament for Craighead seem good enough?
“It’s just going to be a lot of fun to play again and get some games back here at McArthur Court and to maybe play some opponents like the Beavers and Huskies again,” she said.
Of the Ducks’ four postseason games during Craighead’s career, she has played in two, contributing 24 points. However, she has not shot well from beyond the arc, hitting on 6-of-27.
But don’t expect those kind of numbers against St. Mary’s (Calif.) on Wednesday. Armed with the possibility of playing in her last game, Craighead should be on target.
“I’ve been here for a long time, and it’s nice to know it’s not quite over yet,” she said. “We’ve still got some things to say. Hopefully we’ll come back with a WNIT championship.”

Ice bags, flu medicine
The Ducks will have a full squad for Wednesday’s game against the Gaels, even though the team has suffered some bumps and bruises along the way.
The most notable bruises belong to senior Edniesha Curry and sophomore Cathrine Kraayeveld. Curry missed three games in December and January due to a foot injury, but Kraayeveld has failed to sit out so far.
“We’ve had some people who have had some wear and tear injuries and are a bit sore from the (Pac-10) Tournament,” head coach Bev Smith said. “A couple of people were down with the flu last week, kind of normal after a real stressful weekend. But everybody is fine and everybody will be at full strength.”
Curry was unable to practice last week because of those bumps and bruises but said she is feeling much better this week.
“The days off really helped me,” she said. “I should be feeling fine come Wednesday for the game.”

Welcome back
The WNIT berth is not the first in Oregon’s 29-year history of women’s basketball.
In fact, one could make an argument that the Ducks are one of the more successful programs in the WNIT.
However, it is a tournament that has undergone some changes.
Originally, the tournament only had 16 teams compete, paralleling it with the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16. The postseason National Women’s Invitation Tournament, as it was called then, was held solely in Amarillo, Texas.
In 1979, the Ducks’ first season in the postseason, the Bev Smith-led squad placed third in the competition. Oregon defeated Northern Kentucky, 81-72, in the consolation game.
Ten years later, under the same guidelines, Oregon made it one step further, defeating San Diego State, 67-64, to win its first championship of any kind. The Ducks also defeated Toledo and DePaul en route to the final game.
Since the Ducks last appeared in the postseason tournament 13 years ago, the competition has undergone a few changes. In 1998, the name changed to the WNIT, it added 16 teams to make an even 32 in the tournament and it now allows schools to host games.
Unlike the men’s version, the championship game will also be held on a school site, which raises a possibility. If the Ducks are able to make it that far, wouldn’t McArthur Court be a natural choice to host?