March 1, 2005

Columbia, S.C. – – South Carolina team captain and leading scorer Lauren Simms will not compete at this week’s SEC Tournament as a result of a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee suffered in the Gamecocks’ win over Alabama at the Colonial Center on Feb. 20. Simms will undergo reconstructive surgery after the season.

A Freshman All-SEC selection a year ago, Simms earned a spot on the SEC Good Works team for her efforts in the community both as a freshman and as a sophomore. In the classroom, she owns one of the highest grade-point averages of any player on the Gamecock roster.

“Lauren is a very important part of this team, and we will certainly miss her presence on the floor,” South Carolina head coach Susan Walvius said. “She is a special young lady with a tremendous work ethic and we know that she will work hard to rehabilitate her knee and be back on the floor soon.”

The Columbia native and Spring Valley HS graduate averages a team-best 11.8 points per game and was the only Carolina player to have started every game this year until her injury.

In addition to losing Simms, South Carolina will play without starting point guard Lea Fabbri, who is in Croatia to be with her family after the passing of her father last Saturday. Fabbri flew home on Saturday and will not return until mid-March. Fabbri averages 5.0 points per game and leads the team with 72 assists.

“The thoughts and prayers of the entire Carolina basketball family are with Lea as she goes through a very difficult time,” Walvius said. “It is important that she is with her family right now.”

The Gamecocks face No. 5 seed Ole Miss at 7 p.m. Thursday in the first round of the tournament at the Bi-Lo Center in Greenville, S.C.