Penn State Lady Lion guard Meggan Quinn will miss the remainder of the season after an MRI revealed that the junior tore the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in her left knee during Wednesday's practice.
The injury marks the second time Quinn will miss games with knee problems in her career at Penn State. During her freshman season Quinn tore the ACL and Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) in her right knee.
"It's devastating for the team and it's devastating for her," Penn State coach Coquese Washington said. "She's a great kid and a great leader for our team and gives us great energy and is a loud voice."
Quinn, who earned six starts this season, struggled finding her way back into Washington's rotation after missing time early in the season with a concussion.
In 19 games she averaged 2.8 points and 0.64 rebounds and assists. Her best game came in a Nov. 29 win over Coppin State when she scored 16, including four 3-pointers.
Washington said Quinn injured the knee Wednesday while going up to shoot a layup.
"She had a breakaway layup, and she went up to shoot and nobody was around her and it just buckled," Washington said. "She knew right away. I don't even think she hit the floor before she said 'call doc.' "
Lady Lions' sports information director Kris Petersen said Quinn would have surgery to repair the knee, but the date of the operation is still unknown.
Washington said Quinn was facing a "fairly straightforward rehab," and should be back for the start of the 2009-10 season.
Quinn was on crutches for the Lady Lions' 65-50 over Northwestern Thursday night. During the team's pregame layup drills she stood on the baseline and during the game was seated behind the bench.
"Meggan's a great leader as far as both off the court and on the court," junior forward Tyra Grant said. "It's going to be rough, but the thing is just keep her positive, keep the team positive, and she'll get through it."
With Quinn out of action the Lady Lions will have to rely on a pair of freshman guards, Zhaque Gray and Emily Phillips to step in.
Grant said the injury was devastating, but said because the injury was limited to the ACL, Quinn would be back for next season.
"It's a hard thing to have two ACLs in her career here," Grant said. "But you just keep everything positive, and it's just the isolated area so hopefully she'll be fine."
