Before Ashlen Dewart arrived at UTC, her sister Bailey had to give up basketball with the Lady Mocs thanks to a knee injury. Ashlen regrets not being able to play with her sister, although maybe it was a good thing, considering how they faced off as kids. Said Ashlen,"We would play until we fought pretty much, until we weren't allowed to play anymore because we kept fighting."
Dewart had to sit out all of last season after transferring, and then her first game at UTC was against the Lady Vols."I was a big ball of nerves before that game. I think that helped out a lot. I had a lot of energy in that game. Our team was so excited, and so pumped for that game."
Head coach Wes Moore would be a ball of nerves if Dewart had not arrived, especially since fellow forward Faith Dupree has been out with a knee injury. "We would have really been hurting during this stretch without Ashlen's presence here. So I've thought about that many times. We're fortunate to have her."
Dewart is currently second in the Southern Conference in scoring, averaging nearly 17-points per game. Said Moore,"Like I said, she's a tough matchup down there because she can use her strength. But she's also capable of making a move and finishing with a baby hook or whatever."
Dewart has been the focal point of opposing defenses, and she's paying the price for it. "Yeah, I'm normally covered in bruises the next day, but it's nothing an ice bath can't fix." Added Moore,"I think sometimes officials let opponents get away with a little more. So I wish they would protect her a little bit better." Said Dewart,"I mean, it's just part of the game. Honestly, I don't mind it. I like the contact. I like the intensity of the game."
