Junior guard Raigyne Moncrief scored eight points, collected eight rebounds and dished four assists in LSU’s 57-51 win against the University of Arkansas at Little Rock on Nov. 18.
Moncrief led LSU in rebounds and assists and trailed only sophomore guard Jenna Deemer in points, who finished with 19.
Four days earlier, LSU defeated the University of Louisiana at Monroe, 61-54, after Moncrief hit a mid-range jumper to send the Lady Tigers into overtime.
She was an all-around position player for the LSU women’s basketball team this season. She was their go-to shooter in crutch time situations and ball-handler when defensive pressure reached its peak.
Yes, was.
Moncrief didn’t dress out for LSU’s 59-53 win against California State University, Long Beach, as she was sidelined for a nagging left-knee injury, which bothered her throughout the first three games and limited her in practice, LSU coach Nikki Fargas said.
Fargas said Moncrief battled the injury throughout her short-lived season, but surgery became inevitable and will likely end her junior season.
“Eventually, we’re going to have to go in and have surgery,” Fargas said. “Right now, we know she’s out. But, we don’t know the extensiveness of it yet, but right now, we’re preparing as if we don’t have her.”
“We’re now proceeding in a manner to really correct the problem that is going on.”
Moncrief’s health is the primary concern for LSU, Fargas said. Moncrief tried to play through the obvious pain, which may have made her injury relapse.
“Moncrief is one of those players who is going to give you everything that she has,” Fargas said. “She’s tried to push through. Our number one concern for any of our student athletes is for their health.”
Other players must step up, Deemer and senior forward Akilah Bethel said. Moncrief’s absence will make room for younger players to step in and perform in bigger roles.
“I don’t think we’re any different, but we’ve just got to step up and do it for her,” Deemer said.
“We still have Raigyne’s support,” Bethel said, “but we all have to step up and be there for our teammate.”
Fargas said Moncrief was her team’s most dynamic threat on offensive as the team’s feature guard in times of pressure and provided an unmatched defensive energy.
“We’re obviously going to miss not having Moncrief on the floor,” Fargas said. “She brings not only the basketball side of it, but she brings great leadership, calmness and poise especially when the games are tight.”
Fargas, and the women’s basketball coaching staff, began to look into Moncrief pursuing a medical redshirt. Moncrief is eligible, Fargas said, because of limited minutes in the opening four games.