UVA’s Key is OK after nasty fall in BC game

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Virginia’s Braxton Key clutches his injured wrist during the Cavaliers’ game against South Carolina (Photo by Jon Golden).

Wahoo Nation held its collective breath in the final 15 seconds of Tuesday night’s loss at Boston College when Virginia senior Braxton Key took a hard fall on his already-injured wrist.

Key, who scored a team-high 16 points and pulled down 8 rebounds during the loss, braced his fall with his left (non-shooting) wrist and immediately left the game. He was obviously in pain and holding the wrist as he took a seat on UVA’s bench.

It was the same wrist he broke in the Arizona State game on Nov. 24, and then underwent surgery to repair the injury upon returning to Charlottesville. After missing four games, Key returned to action with a heavier cast, gradually reduced to a mere splint and padding in recent games.

While the fall and Key’s reaction caused concern, according to sources he’s just fine and should be ready for Syracuse when the Orange come to town on Saturday.

Having Key in the lineup is extremely important for a wildly inconsistent UVA squad. After hammering Virginia Tech, 65-39 last Saturday at JPJ, the Cavaliers lost a 60-53 decision at BC.

During those two games, with the reduced splint, Key averaged 17 points and 9 rebounds.