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 Lunzaya Nlandu will miss four weeks after suffering a fractured medial malleoli on his left ankle. |
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Jan. 7, 2004
Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina head men's basketball coach Steve Shurina announced today that junior center/forward Lunzaya Nlandu will miss four weeks after suffering a fractured medial malleoli on his left ankle. Nlandu, who sat out the Catamounts' win over North Greenville this past Saturday, had started the previous six games, helping WCU compile a 5-1 record over the span.
Nlandu (Montreal, Quebec) suffered the injury prior to Western's trip to Montana State. However, the 6-7 junior college transfer started both contests at the MSU-Holiday Stores/Big R Classic, averaging 20.5 minutes per contest. For the season, Nlandu is averaging 3.5 points, shooting 59.1 percent from the field, and ranks second on the team by averaging 5.0 rebounds per contest.
"We will obviously miss Lunzaya's toughness and maturity on the floor," Shurina said. "However, this is an excellent opportunity for several players who have the ability to step up and allow us to continue playing at our present level."
During the Catamounts' first game of the season at Georgia, Western Carolina had senior center/forward Rans Brempong suffer a fractured mandible (broken jaw), which has kept him from seeing game action ever since. Brempong, WCU's all-time blocked shots leader with 225, was on pace to finish the season as the league's all-time leader in the category. Brempong's availability for the remainder of the season will be determined on weekly basis as he continues to work his way back to his preseason form.
Western Carolina (7-4, 1-0 SoCon) will return to tonight (Jan. 7) when the Cats host the College of Charleston (9-2, 1-0 SoCon). Tip-off is set for 7 pm in the Ramsey Activity Center.
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