NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- Liberty forward Essence Carson will miss the rest of the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee. <\/p>\n
New York made the announcement Sunday before playing Atlanta for the second time in three days. Carson was carried off the court with 3:56 left in the second quarter of New York's 75-56 loss at Atlanta on Friday. She was driving on a fast-break attempt when her leg appeared to give way as she attempted to make a cut near the basket. An MRI exam Saturday revealed the tear. <\/p>\n
Carson said she knew immediately the injury was serious. <\/p>\n
''When it first happened I knew that was it,'' she said. ''When you're a kid and you pop a pencil, snap it in half? It snapped and I felt it and it was excruciating pain. It wasn't even the type of pain that would allow you to cry. All I could do was yell and couldn't stop yelling. Once that pain quieted down, I was able to get up off the floor. <\/p>\n
''I understood what was going on. ... I've had many teammates go through it and I've seen their road to recovery. I know it's something I can come back from.'' <\/p>\n
The former Rutgers star was averaging a team-high 17.7 points and 6.3 rebounds through the first three games this season. She has averaged 8.7 points and 2.5 rebounds in 172 career games. <\/p>\n
''(She's) a solid defender, arguably our best defender out there, and she was averaging 17 points a game,'' Liberty coach Bill Laimbeer said. ''(She was) off to a good start, but that's the reality of professional sports. You have to move on.'' <\/p>\n
Laimbeer said he plans to start veteran forward Katie Smith in Carson's place and rookie Toni Young could see more playing time. <\/p>\n
''We'll still play the same strategy on defense, the same structure that we have,'' Laimbeer said. ''Nothing changes. Just that we lose a very athletic player.'' <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Read the original here:<\/p>\n
Liberty's Carson out for season with torn left ACL<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- Liberty forward Essence Carson will miss the rest of the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee Continue reading