Utah forward Alissa Pili was taken to the emergency room during the Utes’ season opener against Mississippi Valley State on Monday.
The preseason All-American honoree’s eye was scratched during the first half and she did not return, according to Utes head coach Lynne Roberts.
“She got scratched in the eye and she’s at the ER right now,” Roberts said after the game. “So you know as much as I do right now.”
Pili had 26 points in just over 15 minutes — all in the first half — before the injury occurred in Utah’s 104-45 win.
Two other starters were injured as well.
Guard Kennady McQueen fell late in the second half and stayed down. She was eventually helped off with the assistance of trainers and taken back to the locker room.
Roberts said McQueen thought she tripped and fell on another player’s shoe.
“It’s probably a bone bruise we think right now,” Roberts said. “We’ll see.”
McQueen did return to the bench at the end of the game but was clearly in some discomfort.
Utah’s Jenna Johnson also had to get stitches during the game, Roberts said. She busted her lip and had to go back to the locker room. She would eventually return, finishing out a night where she had 10 points in 22 minutes.
Utah’s next game is on Thursday against South Carolina State.
“We’ve got to get healthy before Thursday,” Roberts said.
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