Dearman iffy for Thursday's game vs. Northern Iowa

SIU's star forward hurts ankle in freak accident at practice

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Senior forward Jermaine Dearman, SIU's second leading scorer and top rebounder, may not play Thursday against Northern Iowa.

In a freak accident at Tuesday's practice, Dearman, running at full speed, stepped on a basketball and twisted his right ankle.

Dearman said he hopes to play Thursday and that athletic trainer Ed Thompson thinks he will. But Dearman had to limp to his car after practice and looked reluctant to put any weight on his right ankle. Even if he does play Thursday, he most likely will not be the Dearman Saluki fans are used to.

"It's tender - a lot tender," Dearman said. "It kind of scared me a little bit when I did it.

"I think even if I do play Thursday I won't be 100 percent. I'll give 100 percent effort, but I won't be 100 percent healthy."

Dearman will receive several treatments for his ankle today and will attempt to take a few shots at practice.

The injury occurred during a drill with Sylvester Willis and Brad Korn. Dearman went up for a rebound and came down on a stray basketball.

"Josh and Brad shot a shot and I went to check the ball on the other side of the rim," Dearman said. "I was running full speed and I stepped on the ball and rolled my ankle."

If Dearman misses the Northern Iowa game, it would be the first missed game of his career in high school or college.

He said he has twisted his ankle before and it did not stop him from playing.

"I try to be tough," Dearman said. "I've had injuries before, I might be tender or hurt for a couple of days, but when that game comes I say in my mind that nothing is going to hold me back or stop me.

"I have a strong mentality just to fight through it."

Reporter Michael Brenner can be reached at mbrenner@dailyegyptian.com