Murphy, a 5-foot-11 forward, came to A&M-Commerce after transferring from the currently ranked No. 11 Mountaineers. Before WVU, she spent the previous two years at Okaloosa-Walton Community College in Niceville, Florida. At Okaloosa-Walton CC, she was rated as the No. 3 small forward the eighth-best overall junior college player by Mike White's Girls All Star Report. Murphy earned first team all-conference honors as a sophomore, averaging 10.5 points and 7.8 rebounds a contest. At Mattie High School in Prichard, Alabama, she was a McDonald's All-American nominee.

Murphy is currently practicing with the Lions and will have two full years of athletic eligibility with A&M-Commerce.

"Ashley has the skills and the abilities to become a big-time player for us. She was recruited to play in the Big East and I feel that she has the potential to become an all-conference selection," said Downing.