By Nick Veronica

Canisius forward Phil Valenti suffered an apparent serious ankle injury in the second half of Friday’s game against Quinnipiac at the Koessler Athletic Center.

Valenti came down awkwardly after going up for an offensive rebound and was in immediate serious pain. His right ankle was put in an air cast and he was taken off the court in a wheelchair.

UPDATE: Two sources told IAGS that Valenti’s injury was a dislocated ankle. Trainers were able to pop it back in place. They’re hoping nothing is broken but are at the hospital for X-rays now. (8:37 p.m.)

UPDATE III: X-rays on Valenti’s ankle were negative, the team announced Friday night, calling the injury a “right ankle joint injury.” Valenti will be released from the hospital later Friday night/early Saturday morning. (11:21 p.m.)

UPDATE IV: Valenti will be evaluated Sunday by Dr. Keith Stube, an orthopedic surgeon who is Canisius’ team physician and is in Canisius’ athletic Hall of Fame. Sources called Valenti’s injury a dislocated ankle, which would indicate a possible injury to one or more ligaments in the ankle/foot area. (12:30 p.m. Saturday)

Canisius led 35-30 with 17:21 remaining when Valenti left the game. (Update II: Canisius held on for a 63-57 win.)

Valenti, a redshirt sophomore from Rochester’s Aquinas Institute, was Canisius’ second-leading scorer at 10.8 points per game and added 5.1 rebounds per game.

An update will be posted when it is available.