WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – For the first time in her career, Purdue forward Mary Ashley Stevenson has been named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week.
The New York City native nearly averaged a double-double with 12 points and eight rebounds in wins over Indiana State and Wisconsin. Stevenson shot 45.5% from the floor and tallied three assists with two steals over the extended award period due to the holiday break.
Stevenson went for 11 points and eight rebounds with a pair of helpers to lead Purdue to a 79-63 win over Indiana State prior to the holiday break.
She posted an almost identical stat line of 13 points and eight rebounds, five coming on the offensive glass, in an 89-50 win over Wisconsin on Saturday. It was Purdue's largest margin of victory against a Big Ten team since the 2016-17 season.
Stevenson is averaging 9.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game this season with a 40.2% shooting clip over 27.6 minutes per game and 12 starts. The 6-2 forward ranks second among Big Ten freshmen in rebounding and fifth in scoring. She leads Big Ten freshmen with four games of at least eight points and eight rebounds.
In Big Ten action, Stevenson's numbers have jumped up to 10.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. She currently ranks third in the league overall in rebounding in conference games. Stevenson is one of five players in the Big Ten to average over nine points and nine rebounds per league game this season.
Stevenson is the second Boilermaker to be named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week this season, following Rashunda Jones who garnered the honor on Nov. 20. The duo marked the first time Purdue has had multiple Big Ten Freshmen of the Week honors and honorees since the 2016-17 campaign with Dominique Oden and Ae'Rianna Harris.
The Boilermakers close out a two-game homestand tonight (Tuesday, Jan. 2) against Rutgers. The 7 p.m. tip will be streamed on B1G+.