Auburn's Broome says elbow injury 'nothing serious'

Auburn star Johni Broome avoided serious injury after hurting his right elbow in the second half of the Tigers' Elite Eight victory over Michigan State.

Broome briefly left the game with Auburn clinging to a 10-point lead midway through the second half following an awkward fall.

"The (doctor) said nothing's wrong, you're good. Nothing serious," Broome said postgame, per ASAP Sports.

Broome had been dominating the contest, recording 22 points and 12 rebounds before exiting.

Auburn maintained its lead without the SEC Player of the Year. However, Broome knocked down a dagger 3-pointer a few minutes after returning.

The Tigers beat Michigan State 70-64 to book their ticket to the Final Four for the second time in program history.

Broome finished the contest with a game-high 25 points and 14 rebounds.

Head coach Bruce Pearl replayed when he found out his star pupil could return to the matchup, saying postgame: "When Johni came out of the locker room, I hadn't talked to the doctor, but I just asked him, 'Are you good to go?' He said, 'I am.' I said, 'Well, get your ass in there.'"

Pearl added: "Whether it's a slight hyperextension or whatever it was, obviously, the doctors were able to examine it and determine that there was no damage. I bet you it will be pretty sore tomorrow, though."

Auburn, the No. 1 overall seed, will take on SEC foe Florida in the national semifinal Saturday. The Tigers lost to the Gators 90-81 when the teams squared off in early February.