Sports

Actions

2 Indiana cheerleaders help retrieve ball stuck behind backboard during NCAA tournament game

cheerleaders.jpg
Posted

Two Indiana cheerleaders came to the rescue when a basketball became stuck behind the backboard and shot clock during an NCAA tournament game.

The moment happened during the second half of Indiana vs. St. Mary's game on Thursday when Saint Mary's tipped the ball into the air, and it lodged behind the backboard, CBS Sports reported.

According to Sports Illustrated, when Saint Mary's 6-foot-10-inch center Matthias Tass couldn't reach it using a mop handle and a referee couldn't reach it with a chair, Hoosier cheerleaders Nathan Paris and Cassidy Cerny teamed up to get the ball down.

Appearing on "Today," Paris said they decided to help when nothing else was working.

Paris explained that their cheer captain Ethan suggested that the tallest member of their squad, which was Paris, lift somebody up, which is precisely what Paris did.

The game resumed after about a minute of stoppage time.

Indiana went on to lose to St. Mary 82-53.

Screenshot 2024-11-14 at 4.26.31 PM.png

Nick Walters

Nick Walters

Senior Sports Reporter

Alex Eschelman

Alex Eschelman

Sports Multimedia Journalist

Taylor Rocha

Taylor Rocha

Sports Multimedia Journalist

Rochelle Richards

Rochelle Richards, senior sports producer

Rochelle Richards

Senior Sports Producer