Smith Scores 5,000th Point in Win

L.A. Times Archives

July 14, 2005 12 AM PT

From Associated Press

Katie Smith remained understated while reaching a professional milestone.

With another of her famous off-balance shots Wednesday, she became the first woman to reach 5,000 points in Minnesota’s 71-61 victory over Detroit at Minneapolis.

She scored 11 points in the game -- just enough to reach the mark -- making a 14-foot running jump shot that banked in with 3:44 left for a 63-54 Lynx lead.

She celebrated with a simple fist pump as the announced crowd of 12,891 cheered.

“It’s neat,” Smith said. “It’s setting a standard, and there’s hopefully more to follow.”

Smith started slowly, with only four points on two-for-six shooting by halftime. But a long three-point basket with 4:17 left put her within two points of 5,000.

“We were still in it until Katie knocked down that big three-pointer for them,” Shock Coach Bill Laimbeer said.

She was five for 11 from the field, with four assists and three rebounds. Smith, who played three seasons for the Columbus Quest in the defunct American Basketball League, is in her seventh season with the Lynx.

Svetlana Abrosimova scored 22 points for the Lynx (9-8), who won their sixth consecutive home game.

Abrosimova had 11 points at halftime, including a buzzer-beating three-point basket that gave Minnesota a 33-30 lead at the break. She made five of five from three-point range, and the Lynx finished 10 for 15 from beyond the arc.

Deanna Nolan had 13 points, and reserve Plenette Pierson had 12 points for the Shock (7-8), losers of seven of nine.

Nolan blamed turnovers for the loss. Detroit gave up 14 points on 19 turnovers.

“That’s what cost us the game,” she said. “We did a great job on [Smith]. She just got lucky to get 11 points.”

Detroit’s Swin Cash, who had 10 points, was more diplomatic.

“I think they wanted it more,” Cash said. “They made the plays down the stretch.”

Indiana 64, Connecticut 53 -- Tamika Catchings had 18 points, nine rebounds and eight steals to lead the Fever over the first-place Sun at Indianapolis.

Catchings’ eight steals were the most by any player this season, and she leads the league with 2.8 a game.

Kelly Miller scored 11 of her 15 points in the second half for the Fever (9-6).

Nykesha Sales had 15 points, and Taj McWilliams-Franklin scored 14 for Connecticut (12-4), which led, 29-20, at halftime.

Washington 78, Seattle 71 -- Alana Beard and DeLisha Milton-Jones scored 15 points apiece at Seattle to lift the Mystics to their sixth win in eight games.

Scoreless at halftime, Milton-Jones made all four three-point attempts in the second half for the Mystics (9-8). Rookie Tameka Johnson scored 12 points, including a basket over Seattle’s Sue Bird with 37 seconds left.

Iziane Castro Marques led Seattle (8-10) with 19 points.

Phoenix 82, Charlotte 62 -- Diana Taurasi scored 15 points and had eight assists to lead the Mercury over the Sting at Phoenix.

Anna DeForge had 19 points and Penny Taylor 17 for the Mercury (6-11).

Charlotte (3-14) has lost eight road games in a row this season, and 10 in a row overall.

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Women’s pro scoring leaders

The top 10 scorers in U.S. women’s professional basketball, through Wednesday’s games:

Rk; Player; Team(s); G; Pts

1.; Katie Smith; Columbus (ABL), Minnesota (WNBA); 285; 5,000

2.; Natalie Williams; Portland (ABL), Utah/Indiana (WNBA); 291; 4,501

3.; Lisa Leslie; Sparks (WNBA); 256; 4,474

4.; Adrienne Goodson; Phila./Chicago (ABL), Utah/San Antonio/Houston (WNBA); 299; 4,280