Ashley (Beckley) Terneus was a basketball sensation at tiny Turpin High School before coming to Central Oklahoma and quickly established herself as a force on the court for the Bronchos on the way to becoming one of the best players in program history.
The scrappy Terneus improved every year she played at UCO and was a tough, physical presence who regularly imposed her will on opposing defenses inside the paint with sheer determination and effort. She helped lead the Bronchos to 95 wins and four straight NCAA Division II national tournament berths while playing in 125 games with 93 starts.
Ashley appeared in all 32 games with one start as a true freshman in 2007-08 for a 24-8 team that won the Lone Star Conference North Division and made it to the second round of the national tourney. She averaged 5.1 points and 2.5 rebounds that season.
Terneus moved into the starting lineup the following year and averaged 11.7 points and 4.7 rebounds while shooting a team-best 53.7 percent from the field in earning second-team All-LSC North Division honors. The Bronchos finished 27-6 in winning a second straight LSC North title and advancing to the Sweet 16, with Ashley garnering all-tournament honors at the South Central Regional.
The upward progression continued in 2009-10 when Terneus was a first-team All-LSC North pick and second-team All-South Central Regional selection after averaging 16.1 points and 5.9 rebounds. UCO went 22-8 and once again made the national tournament after finishing as LSC North Division runners-up.
Ashley was virtually unstoppable as a senior when she put together perhaps the best season in school history in guiding an injury-ravaged team that finished the year with eight players to a 22-10 record and Sweet 16 appearance. She averaged 19.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.0 steals a game, setting single-season school records for total points (623), scoring average (19.5), free throws made (199) and free throws attempted (261).
Seeded fifth in the South Central Regional hosted by Northeastern State in Tahlequah, UCO knocked off No. 4 Washburn 65-64 in the first round on Terneus' bucket with 4.8 seconds remaining before upsetting No. 1 NSU 68-60 in the semifinals as Ashley had 22 points and 12 rebounds. She had 10 points and 10 rebounds in a finals loss to Northwest Missouri, marking her 47th consecutive double-digit scoring game.
Terneus was named LSC North Division Player of the Year while also claiming first-team All-South Central Regional acclaim and third-team All-America honors.
Ashley still ranks as UCO's all-time leader in free throws made (479) and attempted (698) while ranking second in points (1,627), field goals made (573) and field goals attempted (1,175) and fifth in rebounds (676).
In this week's installment of our look back at some of Central's past athletic greats, here's a brief conversation with Ashley (Beckley) Terneus.
Degrees earned at UCO: Bachelors of Science in Special Education & Masters in Educational Leadership
How did UCO prepare you for success:Â Â UCO prepared me for success in many ways. I developed time management skills, relationships, self-confidence and goal setting. Being a part of the basketball team was a huge part of this.
Favorite memory at Central:Â Beating NSU on their home court to advance to the sweet 16 my senior year.Â
Best thing about going to UCO: Meeting the love of my life! I met my amazing husband, who also played basketball at UCO!Â
Who were your favorite professors, coaches, etc: You spend most of your day in the gym as an athlete, so my relationships were built around Coach Hardaker and my teammates. Coach  challenged me mentally and physically, which is what helped develop me into the player I was able to become. I'm thankful coach and my team put up with my stubborn self! Â
If you could give advice to a current student-athlete at UCO, what would it be:Â Embrace the journey, good and bad. Your best memories will be made during this time and soon you will be old and retired like me! Time is precious - be in the moment.
Career path:Â Â Special Education LiaisonÂ
Where do you currently live: Northwest Oklahoma CityÂ
Family: Husband – Adam; daughter – Remy; son – Cru.
