In the final seconds of Monday’s Duke-Virginia Tech college basketball game, a go-ahead basket resulted in a player being hit in the throat.
The score was tied at 75 when Virginia Tech guard MJ Collins caught a pass, dribbled and knocked down a jump shot to put the Hokies up by two with less than 20 seconds remaining.
As Collins appeared to be celebrating, he punched Duke’s Kyle Filipowski in the throat.
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Duke Blue Devils center Kyle Filipowski (30) shoots a free throw against the Virginia Tech Hokies in the first half during a game at Cassell Coliseum on January 23, 2023 in Blacksburg, Virginia.
(Ryan Hunt/Getty Images)
Filipowski crumpled to the ground, but Collins withdrew his fist just after making contact. After review, the officials determined that the throat strike was incidental and did not call a foul on the play.
A flagrant foul by the officials would have allowed the Blue Devils rookie to attempt two free throws. If Filipowski made both shots, the game would have been tied at 77.
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After the punch, Filipowski was clutching his neck as he leaned over the court. He eventually made it to a seat on the team’s bench.
Duke Blue Devils center Kyle Filipowski (30) grabs his neck in the second half during a game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Cassell Coliseum on January 23, 2023 in Blacksburg, Virginia.
(Ryan Hunt/Getty Images)
The freshman also revealed that he vomited.
«Yeah, he just nudged me right in the Adam’s apple,» Filipowski told reporters after the game. «I couldn’t breathe for a minute, but I just needed to throw up, and I was fine.»
Duke head coach Jon Scheyer praised Filipowski for his toughness.
«I was throwing up and I wasn’t going to waste a second,» Scheyer added. «He’s a great warrior, man.»
Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer and center Kyle Filipowski (30) in the second half during a game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Cassell Coliseum on January 23, 2023 in Blacksburg, Virginia.
(Ryan Hunt/Getty Images)
On possession after the incident, Duke’s Tyrese Proctor missed a 3-point attempt that would have given the Blue Devils the lead.
Virginia Tech made one of two free throws to win the game 78-75.
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The win snapped a seven game losing streak for the Hokies. Duke is now 1-5 in their last six trips to Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg.