It’s early in the 2015-16 college basketball season, but Iowa State probably had the comeback of the year against Iowa. The Cyclones rallied from what was a 20-point deficit (62-42) with 16:26 left in the second half to beat the Hawkeyes, 83-82. Monte Morris’ jumper with 10 seconds remaining gave Iowa State the lead in what would ultimately be the game-deciding basket.
Even though Iowa State is ranked fourth in the nation and Iowa is unranked, such a comeback over a huge rival is a pretty big deal. And since this is college, where young people do things in the heat of the moment without thinking, it wasn’t surprising to see Cyclone fans storm the court in celebration.
What a finish in Ames! Iowa blows 6-point lead in final minute as No. 4 Iowa State hits a winner w/ 10 seconds left. pic.twitter.com/02IMI7VTAU
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 11, 2015
In the process, though, Iowa State beat writer Randy Peterson of the Des Moines Register sustained a broken leg.
Always been fan of court storms. Tonight may change that. Reporter/friend @RandyPete trampled, leg in air cast, taken out on stretcher.
— Reid Forgrave (@ReidForgrave) December 11, 2015
Appears to be compound leg fracture for Randy Peterson, per Jamie Pollard.
— Chad Leistikow🆑 (@ChadLeistikow) December 11, 2015
Storming the court (and field) is a hot-button issue in college athletics. As Scott Van Pelt of ESPN opined, they’re fun and traditionally part of the experience. However, all the fun typically goes out the window the moment someone — who’s simply in the area doing their job, no less — reportedly suffers a compound fracture in their leg. There’s a dangerous side to storming the court and now Iowa State may have to deal with the very real possibility that Peterson takes some sort of legal action.
For someone with a law degree, I’m not a litigious person, but he should sue ISU for everything he can get. https://t.co/tAImtYH0wo
— John Infante (@John_Infante) December 11, 2015
No one enjoys being an active member of the fun police, but the risk of injury far outweighs the thrill of the moment — at least for the universities. They are the ones, after all, responsible for everyone’s safety. Fans who aren’t thinking clearly can do what they want, and even get hurt, without big-picture repercussions.
(Via The Big Lead)
