America loses it at cheerleader’s ‘epic move’ in college basketball game

The internet went into meltdown at the sight of a cheerleader coming to the rescue during a US college basketball game.

They don’t call it March Madness for nothing.

The NCAA college basketball tournaments are heating up in the US and fans have gone wild for a cheerleader’s epic move that saved the day.

During the second half of the game between Saint Mary’s and Indiana on Friday (AEDT), play was stopped when the ball became stuck on top of the backboard.

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All the tall players were unable reach the trapped ball. A referee then had a go — stepping up on a stool and trying to dislodge the ball with the handle of a mop — but it wasn’t high enough.

Some players and fans then suggested the Indiana cheerleaders on the edge of the court could retrieve the ball with a classic lift move.

Much to the delight of the fans, they obliged and a cheerleader was hoisted high up in the air by her stunt partner and was easily able to collect the ball and drop it to the court.

This Indiana cheerleader is a legend for this 😭 pic.twitter.com/qP3X5ZHBex

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 18, 2022

“The play-by-play commentator Andrew Catalon exclaimed: “Yes, let’s get the cheerleader up, get her up there! This is how you do it!

“She’s got it! What a play! The cheerleader saves the day and that’s her one shining moment. This place is on its feet.”

The crowd went absolutely berserk and the cheerleader was seriously pumped up as she smiled widely and joined in the boisterous cheers.

A cheerleader saved the day during a college basketball game. Pic: Twitter.

Not all heroes wear capes. Pic: Twitter.

The cheerleader’s heroics sent the internet into meltdown, with viewers full of praise for her on social media.

Sports Central’s Jill Painter Lopez tweeted: “I don’t know what’s more fantastic …. The cheerleaders lodging the ball loose or the great call by @AndrewCatalon!”

College sports analyst Josh Pate said: “I’ve watched the Indiana cheerleader video 20 times. I can’t stop.”

Darryl Bruffett added: “When your broom handle isn’t long enough ask a cheerleader to get the ball for you!”

Epic move by IU cheerleading. Fantastic. pic.twitter.com/KmRIGHcCOz

— Lauren Peikoff (@laurenpeikoff) March 18, 2022

Officials: How we gonna get this?!

Ballers: I can’t jump that high!

Cheerleaders: Hold my pom poms 😏#MarchMadness indeed https://t.co/UPtBtwnSo4

— CHRIS GREENE (@ItsChrisGreene) March 18, 2022

For the record, St Mary’s won the game 82-53 at the Moda Centre in Portland.

Originally published as America loses it at cheerleader’s ‘epic move’ in college basketball game