Ashleigh Newman will cement her place in Maryland women?s basketball history as soon as the senior guard takes the court against Boston College on Thursday night in Chestnut Hill, Mass.
It will mark her school-record 124th consecutive game, making the relatively unknown player on a team filled with future WNBA players an unlikely owner of one of the school?s most enduring records.
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Newman tied the mark set by Christy Winters from 1987 and 1990 in a 110-46 victory over Clemson at Comcast Center on Sunday.
“I didn?t know anything about it until it was mentioned to me the other day,” Newman said. “That?s a great accomplishment for me. I?ve dealt with a lot of nagging injuries here and there and been able to push through them. I just consider it a great accomplishment for me and this team.”
The 5-foot-10 native of Shelbyville, Tenn., has never missed a game since she arrived in College Park ? not bad considering she?s been plagued by injuries throughout her career, including having to undergo major knee surgery at the end of last season.
On a team that features standouts Marissa Coleman, Crystal Langhorne and Kristi Toliver, Newman is not the team?s best player, but she?s brought much-needed consistency mostly off the bench the past four years.
Newman averages 3.7 points and 2.6 rebounds per game in addition to making .323 percent of her three-point shots in a little more than 20 minutes per game this season for the Terrapins (18-1, 2-0 Atlantic Coast Conference).
Newman has shown flashes of greatness for the Terrapins, including when she made a game-tying three-pointer from nearly half court at the end of regulation in a 98-95 overtime victory at then-top-ranked North Carolina on Feb. 9, 2006.
The perseverance Newman has displayed has not gone unnoticed, as Coach Brenda Frese acknowledged Newman?s production off the bench will be vital against Boston College (13-3, 2-0) and in Maryland winning its first conference title since 1989 and a second national title in three years.
“Ashleigh?s fought through a lot of adversity and it?s a great accomplishment to be proud of,” Frese said. “With that many injuries in her career, her being able to start really speaks to her toughness and her heart. She?s playing on a great level and comes out every day ready to play.”
Langhorne, who is regarded as one of the best players in the country, understands how hard it is playing every game. The All-American senior forward started the first 104 games of her career before having her streak of consecutive games played end with a sprained ankle before the season.
“It just shows you how tough Ashleigh is,” Langhorne said. “Ashleigh?s battled through a lot of injuries and she does so many little things and so many big things for the team. We just love her.”
No. 4 Maryland vs. Boston College
» Tipoff: Thursday, 7 p.m.
» Where: Conte Forum
Chestnut Hill, Mass.
» TV: None
» Radio: None
