December 17, 1998

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Furman forward Jackie Smith scored 31 points Thursday night in Furman's 72-59 victory over Wake Forest to reach the 1,000 career points milestone early in her junior year.

Smith, the reigning Southern Conference Player of the Year, needed 31 points against the Deacons to reach the 1,000 mark and didn't disappoint, scoring her 30th and 31st points of the game on free throws with 5:04 left in the game. Smith's parents, Shirley and Johnny Smith were in the stands, having traveled from Woodbridge, Va., for the game. The free throw's were Smith's last points of the evening, giving her an even 1,000 when the buzzer sounded.

In addition to showcasing Smith's milestone, the win was Furman's first over an ACC opponent since November 25, 1990, when the Lady Paladins defeated the Georgia Tech Jackets 98-92 to win the Pickette Suites Classic. It also helped the Lady Paladins to a 4-4 overall record.

Smith's 31 points showing, which was the sixth 30-plus effort of her collegiate career, was boosted by Heidi White's 13 points and eight rebounds, Kena Hodges' eight points and seven rebounds, and Leitra Young's season high seven points and eight rebounds.

Wake, which fell to 4-5 overall, was led by Heidi Coleman's 15 points and Olivia Dardy's six rebounds.