DePaul University Athletics
Khara Smith Named C-USA Player of the Week
11/25/2002 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
CHICAGO - DePaul freshman forward Khara Smith was named the Conference USA Player of the Week after leading the Blue Demons to a 69-60 win over Southern Illinois on Saturday. Smith tallied the first double-double of her collegiate career with 18 points and 13 rebounds in just 24 minutes of play.
The Blue Demons erased an 11-point halftime deficit and outscored the Salukis, 49-29, in the second half. Smith led the way with 12 points and eight boards in the second stanza. For the game, the 6-2 forward was 6-for-12 from the field and 6-of-8 from the free throw line while adding five steals. Including the exhibition game against the Dominican Republic, Smith has tallied a double-double in back-to-back games.
Smith shared scoring honors with sophomore Jenni Dant while the Blue Demons posted their 14 straight victory over schools from the state of Illinois. DePaul has not lost to a state program since falling 74-64, at Illinois on Dec. 10, 1999.
Up next for the Blue Demons is the Hawaiian Airlines Rainbow Wahine Classic. The Blue Demons take on No. 15 North Carolina in the tourney’s first game on Friday afternoon. Tipoff in Honolulu is set for 12:30 p.m. (4:30 CST). With a win, the Blue Demons could face 2002 NCAA Runner-Up Oklahoma in the second round.
