February 2, 2000

Release: Upon Receipt

SMITH SET TO TOPPLE DOUBLE-DOUBLES MARK

GREENVILLE, South Carolina -- When Furman's Lady Paladin basketball team takes the floor at John Kresse Arena Thursday night, one of Furman's most impressive records will be on the line.

From 1989-94 Rushia Brown, currently a member of the WNBA's Cleveland Rockers, set a career record with 48 double-doubles, all of which combined points and rebounds. Entering Thursday night's game, senior forward Jackie Smith totals 47 career double-doubles, also combining points and rebounds.

"I really never thought Rushia's double-doubles record would be broken," said head coach Sherry Carter. "I never thought we would have another player who so dominated the post and was well rounded enough to score and rebound at such a high level. Lucky me, though, I was able to coach both of them, while many coaches never have such a player in their entire career."

Carter recognized Smith's rebounding ability in high school and says her recruiting notes mention that Smith was "always around the ball." "Jackie has a great knack for rebounding," says Carter. "I was just hoping that we could teach her to shoot better so that she would be able to help us offensively as well as defensively. Who knew it would work out so well."

Smith has reached this point in her career despite a slow start. As a freshman, the 6-1 forward recorded only three double-doubles, but in her sophomore year, her first as Southern Conference Player of the Year, Smith totaled 18 double-doubles. In 1998-99, another Player of the Year season, Smith added 11 to her total. This year, in 20 games, she has tallied 14 double-doubles and already has three Player of the Week selections, bringing her career total to 11.

"Jackie has great quickness and her reaction time is phenomenal," says Carter. "But what really sets her apart is her determination and the fact that she sets goals for herself and lets nothing stand in the way of reaching them."