Bison coach: 'Very good likelihood' key NDSU women's basketball players return this season

David Samson / Forum file photo By Eric Peterson Today at 2:47 PM Listen Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? FARGO — North Dakota State head coach Jory Collins expects to see both veteran forwards Avery Koenen and Abby Krzewinski back on the court this season. “As of today, there’s a very good likelihood that both of them will be in uniform this year again," Collins told The Forum on Thursday. ADVERTISEMENT Both Koenen and Krzewinski suffered lower-leg injuries in the women's basketball team's season-opener on Nov. 2 at Gonzaga. Soon after, both were deemed out for the "foreseeable future." Collins said both have started the rehab process and won't require surgery. “It’s not only what they do on the floor, both of them are what we call force multipliers," Collins said. "They make people around them better.” David Samson / Forum file photo The Bison (1-2) play at 6 p.m. (CT) Thursday, Nov. 12, at Butler in Indianapolis. NDSU third-year guard Elena Lazarevic, however, did suffer an ACL injury that will require surgery and end her season, Collins said. Lazarevic injured her knee on Nov. 5 against Augustana. The 6-foot-3 Koenen — the Summit League player of the year last season — has a fractured tibia and an injury to her PCL, Collins said, but not an ACL injury. “It’s really how both of them respond to treatment right now," Collins said. Koenen was injured late in the first quarter against Gonzaga on Nov. 2, in Spokane, Washington. The Bulldogs rallied past the Bison for a 62-56 victory, outscoring NDSU by 13 points in the fourth quarter. She grabbed her knee as she fell to the ground after a scramble for a loose ball with a Gonzaga player, who collided with Koenen. ADVERTISEMENT Krzewinski, who has her right foot in a walking boot, is expected to return earlier than Koenen. Collins said while there is no exact timetable for either to return, Krzewinski could return as early as mid-to-late December, while Koenen isn't likely to return until the new year. “I think there’s a chance we have Avery back for a portion of conference (play), maybe a big portion," Collins said. "It’s hard to say until some weeks go by and treatment starts happening. We could be weeks on either side for both. Every week that goes by, we should be able to be more dialed in.” More related coverage Big East's Creighton bounces Bison women, causing 24 turnovers 2d ago Bison women absorb injury to 3rd key player amidst 'emotional week' 6d ago Koenen, Krzewinski to miss time for 'foreseeable future' for Bison women Nov 4 Koenen averaged 19.4 points and 10.8 rebounds per game in 34 games last season, helping the Bison win the Summit League regular-season crown. The 5-foot-11 Krzewinski averaged 8.1 points and 3.7 rebounds per game a season ago. Koenen and Krzewinski were both injured in the opening quarter of the season-opener against Gonzaga. “Meanwhile it’s going to be a great opportunity to have some young players step up and grow extremely fast," Collins said. Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? Tags Tags BISON MEDIA ZONE BISON WOMEN'S BASKETBALL By Eric Peterson Peterson covers college athletics for The Forum, including Concordia College and Minnesota State Moorhead. He also covers the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks independent baseball team and helps out with North Dakota State football coverage. Peterson has been working at the newspaper since 1996. Twitter Listen to this article Conversation ADVERTISEMENT What To Read Next Subscribers Only UND Hockey Get to know UND junior forward Gavin Lindberg 2h ago · By Brad Elliott Schlossman College Meet Gophers prized men’s basketball recruit Isaiah Santos 5h ago · By Andy Greder / St. Paul Pioneer Press College Jimmies unable to hold off Dragons in 59-57 loss 18h ago · By Paul Garcia II ADVERTISEMENT Get Local Must Reads Prep Third straight Dakota Bowl showdown awaits Loboes, Rockets 22h ago · By Paul Garcia II Local Jamestown man arrested after leading police on pursuit, police say 1d ago · By Staff reports Community JHS students to perform 'Game of Tiaras' 1d ago Local Jamestown parks commission to make decision to sell administrative, shop building 1d ago · By Masaki Ova