Sports

Unidentified Projectile Sparks Nebraska Basketball Controversy Surrounding Untimely Slip On Final Play

#Nebraska Cornhuskers
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iStockphoto / © Dylan Widger-Imagn Images


The Nebraska basketball team fell to Big 10 rival Purdue in Lincoln on Tuesday night. The Cornhuskers turned the ball over on their final possession with a chance to take the lead.

An unidentified projectile was launched from the stands moments before the play. A Boilermakers staff member sarcastically applauded the bad behavior following what he saw as a karmic turn of events.

Purdue entered the contest at 19-4 and ranked No. 13 in the AP Poll. Nebraska was positioned at No. 7 thanks to a 21-2 start.

The Boilermakers jumped out to a quick lead, taking a 16-point advantage into halftime. It would grow to as many as 22 in the second half before the Cornhuskers stormed back.

Nebraska used a 13-1 run in the final two minutes of play to force overtime. Their chance to win at the buzzer in the extra session was thwarted by an untimely slip.

Nebraska lost the basketball game.

The Cornhuskers led 77-75 with around two minutes left to play. A foul allowed Purdue to pull to within one point. The Boilermakers would take the lead soon after on an And-1 play.

With six ticks on the clock, Oscar Cluff was fouled on a made layup. He’d miss the free throw but succeeded in giving his team a 78-77 advantage.

Unhappy with the officiating, a Nebraska fan launched something towards the Purdue bench during a timeout.

Ryne Smith, a former player and current assistant director of development, was in attendance. He saw the object thrown. He, like many others, believed it was a beer. It’s hard to tell in the video.

Did the unidentified object cause a slip?

The projectile was thrown just before the two teams took the court for the final possession. Trailing by one with time on the clock, Nebraska would inbound the ball with a chance to win.

If it was an open drink, it might’ve played a role in the turnover to follow.

Jamarques Lawrence slipped just as he caught the ball to turn up court. The fall took place in the same area the object landed.

Two teammates slipped in the same spot as they helped him to his feet.

Did the object cause the wet spot on the court? That’s unclear. It could’ve been perspiration from a player in the Purdue huddle. We’ll never know.

Either way, the Boilermakers believe Nebraska fans received a dose of karma for their actions. Purdue would go onto win the game 80-77 after getting the ball back.