May 12, 2006
Former Iowa women’s basketball standout Crystal Smith played her first preseason game for the Phoenix Mercury on May 11. Cappie Pondexter hit the winning shot with 6.1 seconds left in the Mercury’s 85-84 preseason victory over the Detroit Shock at the Pepsi Arena.
Smith tallied 11 points (2-6 FG, 7-7 FT), collected a game-high five assists and a team-high three steals in 18 minutes of action off the bench in her first WNBA outing.
Smith and the Phoenix Mercury had their final pre-season tune-up on May 13 when they hosted the Connecticut Sun. The Sun defeated the Mercury, 96-85.
Smith scored 13 points on 4-8 shooting from the field, including 2-3 from behind the arc, and 3-4 from the foul line. The 13 points were the second most on the team. She also recorded two assists and two steals in 19 minutes off the bench.
Hawkeye fans will get a chance to see Smith and the Phoenix Mercury in their season opener this Saturday when they travel to Sacramento to face the defending WNBA champion Monarchs. The game will be televised live at 3 p.m. (CDT) on ABC.
For the most up-to-date information on Crystal Smith’s WNBA career, visit phoenixmercury.com.