University of Missouri-St. Louis student Alex Permann made the layup, then the free throw, then the half-court shot of a halftime challenge for $50,000. Too bad he skipped the part about making a three-pointer and won’t be getting a giant check.
At the halftime of Sunday’s Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Championship game between Creighton and Wichita St., Permann was given a chance to win $50k for making a layup, free throw, three-pointer and half-court shot in 24 seconds. After converting on the layup and free throw, Permann sprinted to half-court and chucked the ball in, jumping up and down in excitement as the sold-out crowd erupted. He’d done it! Sorta.
Permann blamed the error on a “miscommunication” in the instructions even though, as he breezed past the three-point line, the PA announcer and the crowd yelled out to instruct him to make a three-pointer before the half-court shot.
Though he will not be receiving the $50,000 prize, the tournament officials and contest sponsor, Casey’s, came up with a compromise, giving Permann lifetime MVC Tournament tickets as well as VIP and hotel passes for next year’s tournament. He will also receive a free year supply of Casey’s pizza and doughnuts.