The ascent up the record books has not been as picturesque as it's supposed to be, but it's still worthy of the word "wow."

"Wow," was point guard Brianne O'Rourke's reaction to learning she was fourth on the all-time assist leaders for Penn State freshmen.

The scene has been tainted by turnovers. She has committed a fair share -- 86 to be exact.

But record books rarely track stories of shortcomings. Instead, they chronicle tales of the accomplishment, hence why she now knows she is fourth on a rather elite list.

She has 122 assists, putting her behind Suzie McConnell (321), Jess Strom (235) and Corinne Gulas (235).

"Just to be compared to them is a great feeling," she said.

O'Rourke eclipsed Helen Darling (119) with eight dishes Sunday against No. 8 Purdue. With nine against Michigan three days earlier, she has had over 14 percent of her season total within a 96-hour period, allowing her to take over the conference assist lead.

She was able to do so through her recognition of defensive sets, which she wasn't as proficient at early in the season.

"I'm starting to learn what defenses they're in," O'Rourke said. "Whether it's man or zone, I guess I'm just getting more comfortable."

Next, she is trying to see eye-to-eye with Strom. It is an easy comparison to make, as both are similar in stature, with O'Rourke one inch shorter and Strom being the latest deified guard in Penn State lore.

For the time being, the comparisons end at their physical resemblance. Strom had emerged as a more complete player. Having recorded 113 more assists and about a turnover less per game, she also did something this freshman has not been able to do routinely: establish herself as a scoring threat.

Strom shot nearly 40 percent from behind the arc, while O'Rourke has been under 30 percent from the field much of the season, epitomized by her 1-of-8 shooting from 3-point range against Purdue Sunday.

Portland has said the shooting problems will probably prevail for the remainder of the season, so Strom will hold yet another numerical edge. Learning to put the ball in the bucket consistently can't be taught, or learned, in midseason.

It comes on one's own time, either alone on a driveway or in a gym during the offseason.

But O'Rourke won't be compared to those that came before her, at least when it comes to award coronations later in the year.

"We're just starting the campaign for her as Big Ten Freshman of the Year," Portland said.

Portland and her fellow lobbyists have good cause to do so. The Pittsburgh native leads the Big Ten in assists at 5.6 per game, a distinction she earned last weekend.

That's an award Strom could not garner back in 2002.

"It's more unbelievable what she's done in our league," Portland said. "Her turnover to assist ratio, her statistics in the Big Ten, considering what she's doing, in leading a basketball team is certainly the reason why she is the Big Ten Freshman of the Year."

What O'Rourke has done is more impressive in some ways. Strom did not have to carry the team. Instead, she was acclimated to a team with an identity, something "Bri" did not have the luxury of.

Whether or not the powers that be will take heed of Portland's appraisals and crown the star that is only now beginning to shine on a team that has fallen off it's pinnacle atop the Big Ten remains speculation.

If she does land the award in these circumstances, it would surely be yet another shock for the freshman this season.