Photo credit: CU athletic web site

Jill Peterson recently returned to the basketball court after a 780-day absence. (Watch: Jill Peterson Video).

She entered Saturday’s game against Siena Heights late in the second half and did not score.

Peterson, who has played both basketball and softball at Cornerstone, suffered a knee injury earlier in her college career, which has kept her off the court for around two seasons. She said she never expected to return, but when she realized she could she jumped at the opportunity.

“New Year’s Eve I ran a mile to my car, and the next day I thought it would hurt and it didn’t so I started messing with the idea of playing,” Peterson said. “I was planning on assisting the whole year. My knee was shot so I thought I would just coach. Then it felt good so I thought I would give it a shot.”

Peterson was formerly one of the team’s highest potential players, but she admitted it will take some time to get her form back and make an impact.

“You got to get the rust out,” she said.