Gonzaga center Emma Wolfram out for season with knee injury

Sophomore center Emma Wolfram is lost for the season with a knee injury, Gonzaga women’s basketball coach Lisa Fortier said Friday.

Wolfram, a key contributor to the Bulldogs’ NCAA Tournament run last year, tore an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left knee during practice.

“The injury is disappointing on a lot of levels,” Fortier said. “Emma means so much to our team.”

The 6-foot-5 Wolfram was expected to play a major role inside, along with senior Shelby Cheslek.

As a redshirt freshman last year, the Kamloops, British Columbia, native played in 32 games while averaging 6.8 points and 4.4 rebounds.

Wolfram saved her best for the postseason. She had 10 points, six rebounds and three blocks in a first-round win over George Washington then posted a career-high 17 points in the upset win at Oregon State in the second round.

In the Sweet 16 overtime loss to Tennessee, Wolfram had eight points, seven rebounds and four blocks.

After fighting back from a shoulder injury, Wolfram appeared in only one game this season, scoring two points and made a block in eight minutes against Montana State.

“We know she will work hard to come back from this injury and be even stronger this time next season,” Fortier said. “She will continue to be an asset for our team and have a positive impact until she can rejoin us on the court.”