South Carolina’s Ashlyn Watkins exits Mississippi State game with injury

South Carolina forward Ashlyn Watkins left Saturday’s road game against No. 17 Mississippi State in the second quarter after coming down awkwardly on her knee during a layup attempt.

USC radio play-by-play broadcaster Brad Muller said Watkins will not return for the second half. USC led at halftime, 42-34, after closing the second quarter on a 16-0 run, and went on to win 95-68.

The school also confirmed Watkins won’t return on its X (formerly Twitter) page.

“We know she’s cheering from the locker room, but we won’t see Ashlyn back on the court today,” a post on USC women’s basketball X page.

After the game, USC coach Dawn Staley didn’t have an update on Watkins’ status but said she didn’t have to leave the arena to go to the hospital. She went through treatment in the locker room. The Gamecocks’ next game is Thursday at home against Texas A&M.

Watkins remained on the court for a few minutes, with head coach Dawn Staley coming over to speak with her, before she was helped to the locker room. She was unable to leave the court under her own power, raising immediate concerns about the severity of the injury.

The junior has been a key contributor for the No. 2 Gamecocks this season, averaging 7.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. Known for her athleticism and interior presence off the bench, Watkins has provided a reliable scoring option in the paint and strong rim protection on the defensive end.

Her absence leaves South Carolina (13-1) short-handed as Maddy McDaniel and Sakima Walker missed Sunday’s game with injuries.

Watkins missed the opener as she was suspended from an Aug. 31 arrest on charges of first degree assault and battery and kidnapping at an on-campus student housing complex. Both of Watkins’ charges were dismissed, according to online records of the Richland County Fifth Judicial Circuit Public Index. Court records show that Watkins, 20, completed pre-trial intervention, a program that allows first-time non-violent offenders to have charges dropped as long as they complete a number of requirements.

Watkins was a five-star prospect and McDonald’s All-American coming out of Cardinal Newman High School in Columbia. She helped the Cards to three straight SCISA state championships.