Iowa Hawkeyes basketball standout Caitlin Clark narrowly avoided injury following a collision with an Ohio State fan during Sunday’s game. Despite a valiant effort from the No. 2 Iowa team, they were edged out by No. 18 Ohio State in a 100-92 overtime loss at the Value City Arena.
After the game, jubilant Ohio State fans flooded the court to celebrate their team’s victory before the Hawkeyes players could exit to the locker room. It was during this chaotic celebration that Clark collided with a fan, causing her to spin and fall to the floor. Fortunately, she escaped injury, and the fan quickly resumed celebrating.
Clark confirmed that she was unharmed after the incident and mentioned that Ohio State’s Athletic Director Gene Smith had apologized to her for the mishap. Reflecting on the incident, she expressed gratitude for her teammates’ support in helping her off the court and focused on moving forward and improving their game.
While court storming is a common tradition in sports, this incident has sparked discussions about safety protocols and whether court storming should be banned altogether.
Regarding the fan involved in the collision, there have been no reports of any disciplinary action taken against them. Nonetheless, Clark’s fortunate escape from a potential season-ending injury highlights the need for caution during such celebrations.
In terms of her performance against Ohio State, Clark delivered an exceptional showing, scoring a season-high 45 points while also contributing seven assists, three rebounds, and two steals. Despite her outstanding efforts, the Buckeyes ultimately emerged victorious, securing an eight-point lead in overtime. The Hawkeyes will look to bounce back in their upcoming game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at home on Jan. 29.
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