Mars graduate and Xavier University freshman guard Lauren Wasylson, center, has made a big impact for the Musketeers just seven games into her collegiate career. Wasylson has started all seven games and is averaging 9.1 points and 28 minutes per game for 6-1 Xavier.

It's a few minutes before midnight. The Xavier University campus is deserted during these late summer months, save for a few souls.

Lauren Wasylson is inside the Cintas Center, putting up shot after shot.

Earlier in the day, the Mars graduate and freshman on the Xavier women's basketball team had another intense workout and a lengthy trip to the weight room.

But she wanted to get in a little extra work.

Can never take too many jumpers.

“In the back of my mind I knew it was going to pay off eventually,” Wasylson said. “If I took a day off I felt like I would be behind.”

Wasylson's work ethic was legendary even before she stepped foot on the Xavier campus. A self-professed gym rat, Wasylson isn't happy unless she can cut, dribble and shoot.

She said she knew when she committed and then signed to play Division I basketball in the Big East that she needed to get stronger and faster.

And better.

That work, it seems, has indeed paid off.

Wasylson has emerged as one of the best freshmen in the Big East through seven games this season for the Musketeers.

This is an excerpt — read more about Wasylson's time at Xavier in Friday's Butler Eagle.