Gannon women’s basketball coach Cleve Wright didn’t hesitate. When he found out Olivia Cernuto suffered an ACL injury during soccer that would wipe out her senior basketball season, he immediately made a trip to Southmoreland.

Cernuto, who led the Scotties girls basketball team to two WPIAL Class 4A title games, already was committed to Wright’s program. He simply wanted to reassure her that the injury would have no bearing on her basketball future at Gannon.

That has turned out to be true in more ways than one. It didn’t affect her scholarship, and it hasn’t affected her play. The black brace and compression sleeve on her right leg are the only evidence of the injury.

Cernuto has played in 34 of the Golden Knights’ 37 games, including 10 starts. Nine of those starts have come in the past nine games, the most critical time of the season. They include the PSAC final — Gannon defeated Lock Haven, 80-65 — and the first three rounds of the NCAA Division II Tournament.

The Golden Knights, 35-2 and ranked No. 4 in the most recent Women’s Basketball Coaches Association poll, will try to earn a spot in the Final Four when they face Cal State San Marcos (26-6) at 8 p.m. Monday in St. Joseph, Mo.

In the nine starts, Cernuto is playing about 20 minutes per game. She has averaged 2.7 points and accumulated 18 assists — her 77 total assists are one off the team lead — and 11 steals.

The numbers are modest compared to what she produced in high school, but Cernuto is just happy to be playing.

“It was rough not being able to play, but I still got to be around basketball and watch it,” she said. “It gives you a new perspective whenever you’re sitting out, and it really just gives you the opportunity to see that you just can’t take anything for granted.

“I’m willing to do whatever I need to do to succeed, and if that’s me scoring or passing or playing defense, I’m going to do whatever I have to do.”

For Wright, Cernuto’s value isn’t itemized on a stat sheet. She is part of a three-headed point guard attack with junior Trinitee Harris and freshman Tori Mayes that has combined for 7.5 points, 4.7 assists and 2.3 steals per game while constantly pressuring the opposition on both ends of the floor.

Cernuto’s bulldog attitude fits perfectly with the group and is one of the qualities that led Wright to recruit her. In describing the 5-foot-7 freshman, he uses terms such as “competitor,” “connector” and “that kind of person you want in your program.”

“She’s got guts, the courage to do the hard things and stick her neck out,” said Wright, in the fifth season of his second stint at Gannon. “Nowadays, it’s really important to find those kids who aren’t hesitant and timid.”

Because of her injury, Wright said, Cernuto’s time in the gym during the offseason was limited. So, essentially, she spent a large part of this season knocking off rust, which makes the coach eager to see what she can do with a full, healthy summer to train.

In the meantime, the Golden Knights have a national title chase to resume. Led by WBCA National Player of the Year Sam Pirosko (19.6 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.6 spg), Gannon enters the Elite Eight having won 11 in a row.

Cernuto has seemed unflappable even as the stakes have increased, and after nine months away from the court, being part of Gannon’s success has been that much sweeter.

“Just being able to contribute and do what I need to do … I just want to see this team succeed,” she said. “I’m very happy and grateful for everything that we’ve accomplished, but we’re not done yet.”

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