Senior Moseley gives No. 6 Maryland women lift off bench

Feb 28, 2016 - 12:03 AM COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) Brene Moseley leads No. 6 Maryland in assists, is poised to join the school's exclusive 1,000-point club and is a big reason why the Terrapins are a threat to make a third straight appearance in the Final Four.

Even more impressive: Moseley has done all this despite tearing her left ACL as a sophomore and getting just one start over a career that's spanned 135 games so far.

''I never would have expected everything that I've been through,'' she said, ''but to have the challenges I've had and to be able to grow as I have, I can't be more thankful.''

When Maryland honors Moseley at Senior Day on Sunday, coach Brenda Frese will speak about a local star who sacrificed personal glory for the good of the team.

''Everything she does embodies what it means to put on the Maryland uniform,'' Frese said this week. ''Being right here in the backyard, Paint Branch High School, growing up in the state, she understands what it means.''

Moseley missed her senior season of high school basketball with a torn right ACL, but as a college freshman she helped the Terrapins win the Atlantic Coast Conference title and reach the regional finals of the NCAA Tournament.

''I was a little baby coming in here,'' Moseley recalled. ''For us to get the ACC championship and to the Elite Eight was fun. From then on, to be able to get two Final Fours was amazing. I've just had fun throughout the whole process.''

Following that memorable freshman season, Mosely tore her ACL in October 2012 and was forced to take a redshirt. The 5-foot-7 guard returned as a bench player for reasons that had nothing to do with her ability.

''She has been through so much adversity,'' Frese said. ''Two ACL injuries in her career, high school and college, just the perseverance, to be able to come back through it all and sacrifice into any type of role. She would be a starter on most teams, but has come off the bench for us because that's where we need her to be to provide that spark.''

Moseley has scored 978 points during her career, yet she will be remembered most for the enthusiasm and her ability to set up her teammates for easy baskets. That's why she was genuinely surprised to learn she was on the brink of becoming the 32nd player in school history to total 1,000 points.

''I didn't even know,'' Moseley said. ''I try to focus more on my assists, to get my teammates their shots.''

Moseley has 176 assists - 76 more than any other player on the team - and ranks third at 11.6 points per game. Without her, Maryland (26-3, 15-2 Big Ten) probably would not be in position to win its second straight regular season conference title with a victory over Minnesota on Sunday.

''She's truly a blessing to have as a point guard,'' leading scorer Shatori Walker-Kimbrough said. ''Her ability to score and get us open shots, I mean it's just great. It feels like practice shots to me, I'm so wide open. She's a blessing to have as a teammate.''