Indiana Hoosiers cheerleaders retrieve the basketball against the Saint Mary's Gaels during the second half during the first round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament. Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

Indiana cheerleader goes viral for freeing ball stuck behind backboard

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated 3/18/22

An Indiana cheerleader went viral on Thursday night for pulling off one of the most creative plays of the NCAA Tournament.

IU was facing Saint Mary’s in the first round of the Big Dance and lost 82-53. About the only highlight the Hoosiers had came a few mintues into the second half when a ball got stuck behind the backboard. The officials tried to use a stick to free the ball but had no luck.

So a few Indiana cheerleaders stepped in.

One of the male cheerleaders picked up a female cheerleader and held her on his shoulders. From there, she was able to knock the ball loose, allowing the game to continue.

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

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 18, 2022

The ladder and stick couldn’t reach.

So they used an Indiana cheerleader to retrieve a stuck ball. pic.twitter.com/Xr4NcGk2A7

— Brian Hamilton (@_Brian_Hamilton) March 18, 2022