Duke freshman Kyle Filipowski is accidentally PUNCHED in the throat by MJ Collins as Virginia Tech guard celebrated go-ahead shot with 15 seconds to go… before 7ft star THROWS UP in huddle
Duke freshman Kyle Filipowski got more than he bargained for in the final few seconds of a game against Virginia Tech as he was accidentally punched in the throat while his opponent celebrated.
The game was tied 75-75 with 15 seconds left when Virginia guard MJ Collins darted in from the right baseline to bank a jumper to put Hokies up two.
As he punched the air and spun to celebrate his vital score, Collins connected with the throat of Filipowski, who was momentarily winded.
Virginia Tech guard MJ Collins (left) accidentally caught Kyle Filipowski flush in the throat
It rocked the Duke freshman, who stumbled back after catching the stray fist in the throat
Collins immediately looked to pull his fist back on contact, realizing he’d caught Filipowski on his Adam’s apple, but the damage was done.
As he hunched over the bench during the subsequent timeout he threw up.
‘Yeah, he just elbowed me right in my Adam’s apple,’ Filipowski said afterwards.
‘I couldn’t breathe for a minute, but I just needed to throw up and I was good.’
The play was reviewed but no flagrant foul was called. No foul at all was awarded against Collins for the unfortunate clash.
He revealed that he had to throw up during the time-out that followed Collins’ crucial shot
He was seen hunched over the bench but his coach described him as a ‘warrior’ on the floor
Duke coach Jon Scheyer said: ‘He was full-on throwing up and he wasn’t about to be out for a second. He’s a big-time warrior, man.’
But Filipowski could not inspire Duke to victory as teammate Tyrese Proctor missed a crucial go-ahead 3 on the next possession.
From there Virginia Tech split a pair of free throws to make it 78-75 and Duke would go on to turn it over on the following possession to end the game.
It was Duke’s fourth road loss from five away from home – a cause for concern for Scheyer.
Despite the defeat it was a positive night for Freshman Filipowski, after he scored a season high 29 points, with 10 rebounds.
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