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Duquesne Says Sideline Food Delivery During CBB Game Was Prank Done for Exposure

Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekX.com LogoFeatured Columnist IVJanuary 26, 2023

TOLEDO, OH - JANUARY 25:  A general view of the ball going through the hoop and net is seen during the third quarter of a Mid-American Conference regular season college womens basketball game between the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks and the Toledo Rockets on January 25, 2023 at Savage Arena in Toledo, Ohio.  (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

It's not every year a regular-season matchup between the Duquesne and Loyola Chicago men's basketball teams makes national headlines, but that is exactly what happened during Wednesday's game.

It turns out, those headlines were because of a prank.

Officials had to stop play in the second half because someone who appeared to be a food delivery person stepped onto the court while carrying a bag of McDonald's. Yet Duquesne confirmed to Jenna Harner of WPXI that the interruption was a prank.

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport

No way a delivery guy just walked on the court 🤣 <a href="https://twitter.com/MarchMadnessMBB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MarchMadnessMBB</a> <a href="https://t.co/d00ET8kInW">pic.twitter.com/d00ET8kInW</a>

SportsCenter @SportsCenter

Did a delivery guy just walk on the court? 🤔😅 <a href="https://t.co/iBjTRXaw2X">pic.twitter.com/iBjTRXaw2X</a>

"This was a prank, planned in advance, done for internet exposure," a statement from the school said. "We determined that the individual was wearing a mic while someone filmed him as he walked on to the court during active play.

"While the incident may have seemed funny at the time, and no harm was done, we are mindful that incidents like this can put players and officials at risk."

The game continued after the interruption, and Duquesne outscored the Ramblers 41-18 in the second half on the way to a 72-58 victory.