FDU Players Stuck in Elevator
College basketball players from Farleigh Dickinson University (FDU) had an unexpected setback ahead of their away game against Long Island University (LIU). Several FDU players found themselves trapped in a cramped elevator at the Steinberg Wellness Center in Brooklyn, causing a delay in the start of the Division I Northeast Conference game.
A Claustrophobic Situation
The incident left the players in a tight spot, both figuratively and literally. Ansley Almonor, one of the FDU players, described the tense situation when the lights went off inside the elevator. Despite their efforts to press the button, the lights wouldn’t come on, adding to the chaos. Almonor mentioned that while some teammates panicked due to claustrophobia, the experience wasn’t too bad for him personally. However, the rising heat became a concern as the players started to sweat.
Rescue Operation by NYC Fire Department
With the players stuck in the elevator, the New York City Fire Department came to their rescue. Footage on social media captured the moment when the players were finally extricated from the elevator, allowing the game to commence, albeit 17 minutes later than scheduled. Expressing gratitude, the FDU team took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to thank the FDNY for their assistance, to which the fire department responded, “Ready for any emergency!”
Knights Triumph After Elevator Incident
Despite the unexpected ordeal, the FDU Knights managed to turn the situation around on the court. They secured a remarkable victory against the LIU Sharks with a score of 84-82 in overtime. The game witnessed 25 lead changes, and with the scores tied at 79-79, players Heru Bligen, Terrence Brown, and Ansley Almonor, who achieved a career milestone of 1,000 points for FDU during the game, scored crucial points in overtime. The win improved the Knights’ season record to 12-14.
Keeping Spirits High
Fortunately, the FDU team maintained a sense of humor despite the pre-game incident. After their triumph, they posted on X, saying, “Going UP! Just not in that elevator.”