Hilliard’s knee OK, freshman questionable for Sunday

By Andrew Gribble
Auburn University Beat Reporter
Published: February 23, 2009

Chantel Hilliard’s knee injury looked uglier than it actually was.

An MRI today revealed that Hilliard did not suffer a tear in her left knee in Auburn’s 65-59 victory over Georgia, according to an Auburn spokesman. The nature of her injury is not being divulged by the Auburn training staff, but it is not expected to be season-ending. The Biloxi, Miss. native is listed as questionable for Sunday’s regular-season finale against Arkansas at Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum.

Obviously, this is outstanding news for the Tigers, who have been short on depth since Jordan Greenleaf went down with a torn ACL in December.

“She is not out of the woods yet as far as playing with the team,” coach Nell Fortner said. “It was good to hear that there was no tear or anything and we are excited to have her back as soon as she can join us.“

Hilliard has emerged as a reliable option off the Tigers’ bench. She averages just 3.3 points per game, but has gained more confidence from Fortner of late. She had 8 points in an SEC-high 21 minutes Sunday before she went down with her injury.

“I thought she was outstanding tonight,“ Fortner said. “I thought she was a huge difference maker for us. I think she gives us a glimpse of what she is capable of in the future.“

Hilliard went down late in the action Sunday during a Georgia possession where bodies were seemingly flying all over the court. One of the few players standing at that moment, Hilliard went down when an unknown player rolled into her left knee.

She was in obvious pain, as she slammed her right leg up and down while receiving attention from Auburn’s medical staff. She was promptly carried off the floor, her head buried in the shoulder of a staff member.

In other news, voters of the Associated Press did not take kindly to Auburn losing Thursday at Vanderbilt. The Tigers dropped four spots to No. 7 in the nation, though they still have the second-least amount of losses in the country with just two. Three teams ahead of Auburn (Stanford, Maryland and Baylor) have four losses.

(Photo credit: Cliff Williams)