WILMINGTON, N.C. – UNC Wilmington women’s basketball guard Jessica Freeman has suffered a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her right knee and will undergo season-ending surgery, Head Coach Ann Hancock announced Monday.

Freeman suffered the injury late in the first half of the team’s loss at East Carolina last Thursday as she landed awkwardly following a breakaway layup attempt. She will undergo an ACL reconstruction in December and recovery is expected to take about six months.

“It’s always terrible news to hear that someone has suffered a significant injury like an ACL tear that will require them to miss the majority of the season,” said Hancock. “The entire program wishes Jessica a full and speedy recovery and we look forward to her returning to the court with the rest of her teammates next season.”

A freshman from Charlotte, N.C., Freeman had gotten off to a solid start in her UNCW career as she recorded 11 points, four rebounds, three steals and three assists in 20 minutes off the bench during her collegiate debut against Wofford Nov. 15.

The Seahawks (1-2) are back in action Friday as they take on Monmouth at 6 p.m. in the first round of the Hampton Inn Invitational at Trask Coliseum.

-Courtesy UNCW Sports Information Dept.