RALEIGH, N.C. — After their teammate collapsed on the court in a terrifying scene, South Carolina State’s players wanted to honor him by resuming the game.
Tyvoris Solomon was taken to a hospital after collapsing on the bench during the first half of the Bulldogs’ 103-71 loss at North Carolina State on Saturday.
A Rex Hospital spokeswoman said Solomon was in fair condition.
According to an ESPN report, athletic director, Tyler Long resuscitated Solomon. Bulldogs coach Murray Garvin praised the AD in a statement Saturday night “for his quick response in that life-or-death moment. He along with the EMS staff rose to the occasion and saved Ty’s life.”
Emergency medical personnel administered chest compressions to Solomon before he was removed from the court on a stretcher. The game resumed after a 40-minute delay.
S.C. State assistant coach Rio Pitt said afterward that Solomon was “up and aware” at the hospital.
South Carolina State said Saturday night that Solomon was awake and responsive and would remain in the hospital for tests and observation.
“He’s conscious, and he was talking some,” Pitt said.
“They said they would do what Ty would do, and Ty would tell us to go out there and play,” Pitt said. “That was the response the guys gave us. We let them decide.”
Solomon collapsed near the bench at the 13:08 mark. The arena went silent. Cries rang out from people around the Bulldogs’ bench as staff members fanned Solomon with a jacket.
Solomon, a 5-foot-10 senior guard, started the game and checked out at 16:02.
Pitt declined to provide any details about the moments leading to Solomon’s collapse, and S.C. State players were unavailable for comment.
Garvin, who accompanied Solomon to the hospital, thanked people for their “support and prayers.”
“It puts everything else in perspective,” N.C. State coach Kevin Keatts said. “At that moment, basketball is not important.”
Players and coaches from both teams looked on with concern as Solomon received medical attention. Pitt said S.C. State coach Murray Garvin dropped to his knees in prayer.
Pitt led South Carolina State for the rest of the game after Murray left.
Once they knew that Solomon was conscious and able to speak, S.C. State’s players decided to continue playing.
Lennard Freeman scored 19 points and Omer Yurtseven added 17 to lead the Wolfpack (7-2).
Donte Wright scored 16 points and Rayshawn Neal had 12 for the Bulldogs (1-7).