Syracuse freshman guard Kadiatou Sissoko will be out 3-5 weeks after having surgery on her right meniscus, SU head coach Quentin Hillsman said Sunday after Syracuse’s 98-55 win over Towson.

“She had a minor procedure on her knee,” Hillsman said. “It’s one of those things where it’s easier to get it cleaned up now than let it linger on.”

The Paris, France native was averaging 4.8 points and 2.6 rebounds a game in the Orange’s first five games before injuring her knee against Princeton on Nov. 23. Against the Tigers, Sissoko played just one minute and scored three points before twisting her knee and exiting the contest.

As Syracuse’s fourth player off the bench, she had the ability to be swapped in for a guard or a forward because of her 6-foot-2 frame. Sissoko thrived specifically at the top of SU’s full-court press, where she was usually stationed, and used her length to wreak havoc on opposing guards.

In her absence, Gabrielle Cooper has filled in the top position of the press, which she played last season. Hillsman praised her play in the zone against Towson on Sunday, a game in which she was responsible for four of Syracuse’s 18 turnovers.

Hillsman said that Sissoko is “up and moving around” and doing well following the procedure. He explained that the Orange hope to get her back on the court later in the season.

“We miss her length and her size, her athleticism,” Hillsman said, “so when we get her back we’ll be a better team.”