Scary scene shakes college basketball
Florida’s Keyontae Johnson is in critical but stable condition after collapsing on the court in loss to No. 20 Florida State.
Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton told assistants and administrators that Florida could decide whether to continue after star forward Keyontae Johnson collapsed Saturday and was rushed to a hospital.
Coach Mike White let his players make the call — not once, but twice. With tears in their eyes and their teammate’s condition uncertain, the Gators wanted to play.
Scottie Barnes scored 17 points and No. 20 Florida State extended its dominance against the Gators with an 83-71 win after Florida lost its best player.
Johnson, the Southeastern Conference’s preseason player of the year, was taken off on a stretcher in the opening minutes. Officials said he was in critical but stable condition and would be hospitalized overnight.
Johnson had just dunked a couple of minutes before he crumpled as the team broke its huddle. The Gators buried their faces in towels as White gathered his team in prayer.
Several Seminoles were in tears as well and took a knee to do the same.
“We’re just all hopeful and praying that he’s OK,” Hamilton said. “If it affected our players in an emotional way, I can imagine what the situation was with his teammates.”
at Missouri 81, No. 6 Illinois 78:
The Tigers overcame 36 points from Fighting Illini star Ayo Dosunmu and held off a late charge in the annual “Braggin’
Rights” rivalry game.
at No. 12 Tennessee 65, Cincinnati 56: John Fulkerson had 15 points and 12 rebounds, helping the Volunteers pull away late.
at No. 16 North Carolina 73, North Carolina Central 67: Armando Bacot carried had 19 points and 11 rebounds, and the Tar Heels stopped a two-game slide.
at No. 17 Texas Tech 77, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 57:
Terrence Shannon Jr. scored 15 points in his return from a injury, and coach Chris Beard recorded 100th win with the Red Raiders.
Postponements
No. 2 Baylor paused activities because of COVID-19 issues, forcing Sunday’s Big 12 opener against No. 13 Texas to be postponed. Baylor’s game Tuesday against Tarleton State also has been postponed. ... The Atlantic Coast Conference said Sunday’s women’s game between Duke and Miami was postponed as part of schedule adjustments.