Crossley Set to Return on Saturday

The Shock guard has missed nearly two weeks of action due to a staph infection.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 11:49 am

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Jun 30, 2010 8:21 PM CDT

Bobby Lewis
Oklahoma Sports Mobile Journalist

TULSA, Oklahoma – Injured Tulsa Shock sharp-shooter Shanna Crossley is expected to be back in the lineup when the team hosts the Washington Mystics on Saturday. The 5-foot-10 guard has missed four games after being hospitalized with a staph infection last week.

“That’s a big deal,” said head coach Nolan Richardson. “That just killed us because Crossley can get some shots.”

The team has lost all four games that Crossley has missed, part of a season-long nine-game skid. During her absence, the team has hit 20 of 53 three pointers. Crossley is making 40 percent of her threes this season.

“We hope that when some of the other players take some shots, that they’re going in,” said Richardson. “But with Crossley, we kind of feel like most of the time she cocks her wrist, there’s a chance that it’s going in the hole.”

Originally the team had hoped to get Crossley back for Tuesday night’s game against Connecticut. Crossley did participate in the team’s pregame shoot around session, but did not dress against the Sun. Tulsa lost 101-89.

Through 11 games this season, Crossley is averaging 10.6 points and 2.5 assists per game.