
A student at Creighton appeared to win $7,000 during a women’s college basketball game on Saturday. However, controversy proceeded to unfold about his final half-court shot.
It appeared as though his foot was on the line, which by rule, would invalidate the made basket.
The in-game contest took place during the second half of the Blue Jays’ women’s college basketball game against the sixth-ranked UConn Huskies. It is sponsored by the Let It Fly Sports Bar, located in downtown Omaha. A student was selected at random from the crowd to participate.
His name is Patrick Totzke.
He needed to make four different shots of various lengths in under 30 seconds to win the cash prize: a layup, a free-throw, a three-pointer and a half-court shot. If he could do so, he would win $7K.
The layup was easy. The free-throw was not an issue. Totzke even nailed the triple on his first attempt.
That left him with approximately 15 seconds to get the rebound, run back to center court and drain one shot for glory. His first attempt missed with about five seconds left. It was crunch time.
Totzke hustled back for one final shot and just barely got it off. Splash. He made it!
BUZZER-BEATER HALF COURT SHOT FOR $7,000 🤯
— Hurrdat Sports (@HurrdatSports) January 26, 2025
A Creighton student hit a layup, free throw, three-pointer and half court shot in UNDER 30 SECONDS to win. pic.twitter.com/Bkq9mbwF0y
The party was on. Let It Fly Sports Bar was set to pay out $7,000— until it wasn’t. Upon further review, Totzke’s foot was on the line. His half-court shot was not from beyond half court. It was just inside— by a toe.
Because Totzke signed a contract to participate in the promotion, his win was ruled invalid.
This kid nailed a half-court shot to win $7,000 during the Creighton women's basketball game. 💰
— Matt Sottile (@MSottileTV) January 26, 2025
I was later told that because his foot was on the line and because he signed a contract to do the promotion, he'll walk away with nothing. 😬@KETV | #GoJays pic.twitter.com/AnUyGmL8oM
Fortunately, Let It Fly Sports Bar decided to do the right thing even though it did not have to by rule. Totzke will get his money after all!
Let it Fly Sports Bar is paying this lucky fan, Patrick Totzke, $7,000 after completing the Let it Fly Shootout with a half court shot!
— Creighton Bluejays (@gocreighton) January 26, 2025
Thank you @LetitFlyOmaha for being a great partner! We apologize for any confusion that may have been caused.#GoJays pic.twitter.com/OqvYYR74td
Let It Fly had an opportunity to back out of its payment on a contractual technicality. It did not have to pay out $7,000 to Creighton student Patrick Totzke. It did so anyway.