*Purdue F Brian Cardinal out 2-4 weeks with thumb injury*
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WEST LAFAYETTE, Indiana -- Purdue senior forward Brian Cardinal
will be sidelined two to four weeks after breaking his left
thumb early in the second half of Saturday's 86-65 victory over
Coppin State. 

Cardinal suffered a fracture in three places at the base of his
thumb and had two pins inserted into the break today by Dr.
Arthur Rettig of the Methodist Sports Center in Indianapolis. 

Cardinal is expected to begin conditioning within 10 days and
could return to practice in three weeks. He is scheduled for a
follow-up examination with Dr. Rettig on Saturday, when he will
be fitted for a small cast. 

The 23rd-ranked Boilermakers (6-2) are hoping Cardinal, who is
averaging 13.8 points and 6.8 rebounds, will be able to return
for the UCLA game on December 30 or the Big Ten Conference
opener against Michigan on January 8. 

Purdue beat Coppin State without leading scorer Jaraan Cornell,
who missed the game with an injured left shoulder. 

st 12-13-99 17:31 et