by Nicole Auerbach, USA TODAY Sports

RICHMOND, Va. — The nation’s leading scorer was sidelined during one of Lehigh’s biggest games of the season Saturday afternoon.

C.J. McCollum, who entered Saturday averaging 25.7 points a game, left the game against VCU late in the first half with a foot injury. He limped around the bench late prior to halftime, and then he did not return to the court (or the bench) at the start of the second half.

On Saturday, McCollum scored just four points (all free throws) while shooting 0-for-5 from the field.

Previously, McCollum had missed Lehigh’s game against North Texas on Dec. 20 due to an ankle injury.

McCollum became a household name after leading the 15th-seeded Mountain Hawks to an upset of No. 2 Duke in last year’s NCAA tournament. He chose to forgo the NBA draft and returned to Lehigh for his senior season. He was named a preseason All-American prior to the season.

An emotional McCollum came out to sit on the bench midway through the second half. His left foot was wrapped, and he wore warmups.

… [For more on Lehigh's C.J. McCollum, nation's leading scorer, out with injury, click here.]