Starting LSU point guard Temeka Johnson should play in Sunday’s game, despite fracturing two bones in her face during No. 3 LSU’s 80-69 win Monday over the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.
“We’re very optimistic about her being able to play in our next game,” LSU head coach Sue Gunter said. “She really took a shot to the face. We’re going to listen to what the doctors are saying, and right now we’ll just take it day-by-day.”
LSU athletic trainer Micki Sandy confirmed Tuesday that Johnson broke an orbital bone and has a small break in the nasal bone. Johnson underwent two CAT scans and saw a facial specialist Tuesday morning after the Lady Tigers returned from Eugene, Ore.
Johnson, a junior from New Orleans, sustained a slight concussion when she caught an elbow to the right side of her face from Phoenix center Chandra Johnson with just under 13 minutes left in the game. She returned to the contest for three minutes but called a timeout to take herself out after one sequence because her vision was blurred.
Gunter said Johnson could return to the practice floor by Friday. The Lady Tigers will face the Louisiana Tech-Ohio State winner in the Sweet 16 on Sunday in Palo Alto, Calif. When Johnson does return to the court, she will wear protective goggles.
Johnson finished the UW-GB game with eight points and seven assists in 25 minutes of action. She has started all 32 games this year for LSU (29-3). She is averaging 10.1 points, 5.7 assists and 3.4 rebounds.