Les: Dunson's surgery successful

Surgery to repair the two broken bones in Bradley guard Dodie Dunson’s left forearm was successful, BU coach Jim Les said  Wednesday.

Dunson, who suffered the injury Sunday at Carver Arena when an Idaho State player fell on him after Dunson was knocked to the floor, underwent a two-hour procedure Wednesday afternoon at Methodist Medical Center.

“Doctor (Jeffrey) Garst was really happy with the way the surgery went,” Les said. “Dodie was surprisingly alert, although he looked tired and was in pain. He was his smiling self, really happy to have the surgery behind him.”

Plates and screws were inserted to stabilize each fracture. The arm is wrapped in a splint for 10 days and then will be casted for six weeks.

“The doctors will reassess it once the cast comes off,” Les said. “It’ll be a while before he does anything physical. But there’s no hurry.”

Dunson, a senior, will seek a medical hardship waiver and will be out for the season. He will return to the team for his final year in 2010-11.

Les said Dunson would stay in the hospital overnight, then head to his parents’ home in Bloomington. He is hoping to attend the Braves’ next game on Sunday night against Wofford.

BU-NIU game on WMBD-TV: WMBD, Channel 31 in Peoria, will pick up the telecast feed for the Bradley-Northern Illinois game Dec. 2 at DeKalb.

The broadcast will originate through WQRF-TV in Rockford, with WTVO Rockford sports director Scott Leber handling play by play and NIU football commentator Mark Lindo providing color.

Dave Reynolds can be reached at 686-3210 or at dreynolds@pjstar.com.