Baylor's Lauren Cox exits the stage after a welcome home celebration for the NCAA Division I women's basketball champions inside the Ferrell Center, Monday April 8, 2019, in Waco, Texas. (Jerry Larson/Waco Tribune Herald via AP)
The Associated Press
WACO, Texas (AP) - Baylor junior post Lauren Cox has a sprained MCL with bone bruising in her left knee and won't need surgery after getting hurt in the national championship game.
Cox had an MRI and an examination Monday after Baylor's on-campus celebration of its third national title.
The school said there is no timetable for the return of the 6-foot-4 player.
But Cox not needing surgery is good news after the gruesome look of the injury late in the third quarter of an 82-81 win over Notre Dame on Sunday night in Tampa.
Baylor led by 12 points when she got hurt and was taken off the court in a wheelchair. She was on crutches when she returned to the bench for the end of the game.
Cox was still wearing a big brace at the victory celebration Monday, but was walking without the aid of crutches.
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Baylor forward Lauren Cox is assisted off the court after she injured her knee during the second half of the team's Final Four championship game against Notre Dame in the NCAA women's college basketball tournament Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
The Associated Press
Baylor forward Lauren Cox yells as she holds her left knee, during the second half against Notre Dame in the Final Four championship game of the NCAA women's college basketball tournament Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
The Associated Press
Baylor forward Lauren Cox (15) grabs her knee as teammates Kalani Brown (21) and Juicy Landrum (20) watch after Cox was injured during the second half against Notre Dame in the Final Four championship game of the NCAA women's college basketball tournament Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (Dirk Shadd/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
The Associated Press