Thomas Quits UC Irvine Women’s Team

Senior point guard Tamera Thomas, who led UC Irvine’s women’s team in assists and steals, has quit the team for personal reasons, according to Coach Colleen Matsuhara.

Thomas, who was averaging 30 minutes, was third on the team in scoring with a 10.8 average. She has been in and out of Matsuhara’s doghouse throughout her career and was dropped from the starting lineup Jan. 7 against UC Santa Barbara for erratic play. But she started Wednesday against Long Beach State.

Thomas’ departure is the second blow in a week to the Irvine backcourt. Saturday, guard Davette Williams suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee.