Basketball player mixed up the hoops and threw the ball into her own basket 20 seconds before the end of the match — the video blew up the internet
An episode has occurred in American college basketball that is already claiming the title of the most absurd moment of the season. New Mexico State player Emma Christiano intercepted the opponents' ball, ran under the hoop and confidently sent it into the basket.
But it turned out to be too early to celebrate: the athlete threw the ball into her own hoop! And it happened just 20.9 seconds before the final buzzer.
How a basketball player gifted the opponents two points
The incident occurred on November 6, 2026, during a game between the women's teams New Mexico State Aggies and Southern Utah Thunderbirds as part of the NCAA college championship.
Late in the game, New Mexico State was trailing 60:61. After the opponents inbounded the ball, the Aggies players intercepted the pass.
Emma Christiano gained possession of the ball, rushed toward the hoop and made an easy shot from under the basket.
It seemed the team had finally taken the lead.
However, the incredible happened: Christiano threw the ball into her own basket, effectively gifting the opponents two more points.
The score changed to 63:60 in favor of Southern Utah.
The most interesting part is that even the broadcast commentator didn't initially understand what had happened. He managed to announce an Aggies lead before his colleague explained the mistake.
The team saved the game in the final seconds
It seemed that after such a mistake, New Mexico State would no longer be able to save the game.
But Christiano's teammates were not about to give up.
Basketball player Stacy Chavino first cut the deficit, and then, after an interception and a new possession, scored the decisive basket with 1.4 seconds left in the game.
The final score was 64:63 in favor of New Mexico State.
Thus, the team managed to win the game despite the two points accidentally sent into their own basket.
And this wasn't the only such mistake of the day!
What's especially surprising is that an almost identical episode occurred on the same day.
Northwestern State basketball player Karma Wynn also confused the direction of attack and threw the ball into her own hoop during a game against Arkansas.
In that game, Northwestern State ultimately lost 59:89.
Two similar episodes in women's college basketball in one day sparked a strong reaction from viewers and sports commentators.
Bottom line: a mistake that's impossible to forget
Emma Christiano's story became a truly viral sports moment. But the most surprising thing about this situation is not the mistake itself, but the fact that the team managed to come back and snatch victory literally in the final seconds.
Sometimes in sports, one moment is enough to turn from the hero of the game into the main character of a viral video.
What do you think: is this the most absurd mistake in basketball, or could something like this happen to any professional athlete?
