The 6-foot-6 Erb, a center, has fractures of the second, third and fourth metatarsals in the foot. She will be on crutches for a week to 10 days and then the foot will be placed in a walking boot.

"I'm disappointed it happened when it did," Erb said. "But we have a strong team and we're still in the running for the ACC title. Nothing has changed -- I just can't go out on the floor.

"I'm still going to be there for my team ... I'm the best cheerleader this team has ever had. And I've already informed the coaches I'm going to be helping them coach from the sidelines. I'm going to do whatever I can to help this team."

Erb leads N.C. State (17-4, 8-2 ACC) with 15.8 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. She had 25 points and 16 boards on Thursday against North Carolina, but was fouled by LaShonda Allen with 36 seconds left in the 86-76 victory and landed awkwardly.

"First and foremost, I really hate it for Summer," Wolfpack coach Kate Yow said. "I knew she would go strong down the stretch and would have an excellent chance to repeat as ACC Player of the Year and be a contender for postseason honors.

"Summer has played a major role in us being a contender for the ACC regular-season championship," Yow said. "We will need our young players to step it up another notch for us to continue to be a contender for the league title."

The Wolfpack's first game without Erb is Sunday afternoon at home against Florida State.

"I'm hopeful that things will work out so I can come back this year," Erb said. "I'm not ready for my college career to be over yet."