Kamilla Cardoso injury update: South Carolina star returns to game after first-half leg injury vs. NC State

Much of South Carolina's success flows through Kamilla Cardoso. An injury to the star forward could be a major concern for the Gamecocks.

Cardoso was having a monstrous game against NC State in the Final Four, but late in the second quarter, she fell to the court and appeared hobbled running after the play. Cardoso drew a shooting foul with 1:39 left in the half and went straight to the locker room.

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Prior to her injury, Cardoso was having a major impact, leading all players with 16 points and racking up seven rebounds. She also had a block in the game. Twelve of her 16 points came in the second quarter prior to her injury.

Cardoso leads the Gamecocks in points per game (14.1), rebounds per game (9.4) and blocks per game (2.5). She's also tied for third with 2.1 assists per game.

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Here's the latest on Cardoso's injury.

Kamilla Cardoso injury update

Cardoso was taken out of the game with 1:39 to play in the first half. She did not immediately return to the court.

Teammate Raven Johnson gave an assuring message during a halftime interview with ESPN.

"She will be good," Johnson said.

Her injury came after she appeared to collide with an NC State player driving to the basket.

Cardoso wound up returning to the game to start the second half of the game.

This post will be updated.