Jaelynn Penn Expected to Miss Next Two Weeks with Ankle Injury
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Indiana senior guard Jaelynn Penn went to the doctor Monday after missing the last two games with an ankle injury that she sustained against Maryland Jan. 4.
Moren said it was a "good visit" because everything structurally is very sound and looks good. Even though it doesn't appear Penn will need any surgery, she is still expected to miss the next two weeks.
"Now it's just trying to work out the soreness and continue to just strengthen that ankle," Moren said.
Ankle injuries aren't new to Penn. It's been something that has nagged her for close to two seasons now.
Last season, she had plantar fasciitis in both feet and needed surgery over the summer to repair it.
Penn made a good recovery from that, and she felt really good throughout the first couple games of this season. The bounce in her step was evident on the floor.
But then against Maryland, Penn rolled her ankle on a defender's foot as she was fighting over a screen, and she was visibly upset when she had to hobble to the sideline and couldn't return. Indiana went on to lose that game by four.
That's why the most recent visit to the doctor was some positive news for Penn.
"I think Jaelynn is excited, not that she's not playing tomorrow night, but she's excited that structurally everything looks to be intact," Moren said. "So, we got good news there."
Penn is currently averaging 9.3 points per game this season while also being one of Indiana's best perimeter defenders.
Filling Penn's position in the starting role the last two games has been Nicole Cardaño-Hillary, who is a transfer from George Mason, where she is the program's all-time leading scorer.
She's an experienced collegiate player, and Moren has been pleased with her contributions so far.
"She hasn't batted an eye," Moren said. "She's an extremely tough kid."
Cardaño-Hillary provides Indiana with an opportunity to run Ali Patberg off the ball more since Cardaño-Hillary can handle the ball like a point guard.
Indiana hopes Penn can get back as soon as possible, but in the meantime, the Hoosiers will look to keep winning without her.
Indiana has won two in a row since the Maryland loss, with its next game coming against in-state rival Purdue at Mackey Arena Thursday at 4 p.m. ET. The game will be televised on the Big Ten Network.