Nov. 28, 2005
PARK RIDGE, IL – The Big Ten announced Monday that Iowa senior Crystal Smith (Haughton, Louisiana) has been named Big Ten Player of the Week.
Smith had three impressive games last week as she broke or matched five school records and was named to the Odwalla Classic All-Tournament Team. The senior returned to her home state and posted school records in points (46) and free throws attempted (19) and equaled a school record in free throws made (15) in a 95-91 double-overtime loss to Louisiana Tech. The 46 points are the second most in a contest in Big Ten history. Illinois’ Kendra Gantt (1/3/83) and Penn State’s Kelly Mazzante (12/28/01) share the record with 49.
In an 85-68 loss to No. 22 Oklahoma, Smith netted a team-high 15 points and collected a game-high five steals. Leading her Hawkeyes to an 88-41 victory over Rider, the 5-6 guard posted a perfect night as she collected a game-high 24 points on 9-of-9 shooting from the field, including 4-of-4 from three-point range, and 2-of-2 from the foul line. Smith’s 100 percent shooting from the field equaled the school record for field goal percentage. In addition, she also collected five rebounds and four assists in only 19 minutes of action.
On the week, Smith averaged 28.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.7 steals per game. She finished the week 26-of-55 (.473) from the field, 10-of-25 (.400) from the perimeter and 23-of-28 (.821) at the line. This marks the second time Smith has earned Big Ten Player of the Week accolades (December 20, 2004).
Iowa (2-2) returns to action Wednesday when it hosts UW-Green Bay (3-1). Tip-off is slated for 5:35 p.m. at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.