ST. LOUIS – Freshmen Shakira Austin of the ninth-ranked Maryland women's basketball was named National Freshman of the Week by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Tuesday, after helping lead the Terrapins (15-1, 4-1, B1G) to a pair of wins in league play this week.
 
Austin earned her fifth Big Ten Freshman of the Week honor Monday and fellow Terp rookie Taylor Mikesell was named to the Big Ten Player of the Week Honor Roll.
 
Austin, a 6-5 forward, averaged 10.0 points, 12.5 rebounds, 4.0 blocks in just her fourth and fifth career games in conference play. Against Michigan Saturday, Austin made her presence known from the tip, winning the jump ball, then picking up the Terps' first bucket, a block, a steal and a rebound in the opening 90 seconds.
 
With the Terrapins down by six with 3:08 left in the third quarter, she scored back-to-back buckets through contact for old-fashioned three-point plays. Her five quick points and three defensive rebounds to close the quarter jumpstarted an 18-4 Maryland run that bridged the quarters and sealed the Terps' third straight win. At Nebraska Tuesday, Austin scored seven points with a team-high 10 boards, including two buckets and six boards in the Terps' second half push to pull away.
 
Austin is second in the Big Ten in blocks with 48 this year and is third in the league in rebounding with 11.3 per game. Mikesell leads the Terrapins in minutes with 35 per game and leads the entire league in threes made with 50 so far this season.
 
Next, the Terrapins will take on #17/22 Michigan State (12-4, 2-3) Thursday at 6 p.m. in East Lansing.
 
The Terps-Spartans game will be televised around the world on the Big Ten Network. Click here for your channel number for BTN. Fans can also watch the Maryland-Michigan matchup at BTN2Go.com and the BTN2Go app with their cable login information. Fans outside the U.S. can watch here. Live stats will also be available.