Prior to their matchup with Nebraska, the Buckeyes have suffered a tremendous setback, as Ryan Day has regretfully declared that…..

Prior to their matchup with Nebraska, the Buckeyes have suffered a tremendous setback, as Ryan Day has regretfully declared that…..

Following Sunday’s upset of No. 2 Iowa by No. 18 Ohio State, Caitlin Clark declared she was “OK” despite being inadvertently knocked down by a fan who rushed onto the floor.

As the Hawkeyes player was leaving the court with her head bowed, a female spectator who was attempting to record the celebration on the court collided with Clark. Staff members and teammates hurried to her aid as she slumped to the floor beneath one of the baskets.

After the 100-92 overtime loss, Clark remarked, “I was just trying to exit the court as quickly as possible, so I started running and I was absolutely just hammered by somebody trying to run onto the court.” Basically, I was taken by surprise and felt a little scared since it could have seriously hurt me and taken away my breath. Fortunately, though, my teammates helped me get off the field and picked me up. I truly appreciate that their AD came and apologized to me already.”

Gene Smith, the athletic director at Ohio State, visited the Hawkeyes’ locker room and expressed regret to both Iowa coach Lisa Bluder and Clark. Kevin McGuff, the coach of the Buckeyes, also apologized.

Bluder claimed that her top player, who finished the game with a career-high 45 points, was also harassed as he was exiting the court, something that Clark failed to bring up.

A clearly irate Bluder remarked, “You know, it’s unfortunate the game ended that way and Caitlin gets taken out on the floor.” “She hears some offensive remarks hurled at her by classmates and spectators. That is simply not something that ought to occur. Our players ought to be able to get off the ground safely. That is really disheartening.

It was the largest crowd to ever watch an Ohio State women’s basketball game, drawing in over 18,000 spectators. Following the No. 18 Buckeyes’ 100-92 victory in overtime, spectators poured past security and onto the court.

“That should never happen, because Clark is such a great player, and she gave such a spectacular performance today,” McGuff remarked. I’m truly sorry about it, and I hope it won’t have any further effects on her. However, that is quite regrettable.”

The Hawkeyes (18-2, 7-1 Big Ten) lost their 15-game winning streak with the Buckeyes victory.