Why was the Conference USA men's basketball championship game delayed?
The article describes the delay in the Conference USA men's basketball championship game due to a roof leak. The delay was caused by a drop of water frequently falling on the court during warmups. The game was delayed for an hour and six minutes before the game tipped off.
Officials try to dry the floor as water leaks from the roof prior to an NCAA college basketball game between Jacksonville State and Liberty, in the championship of the Conference USA tournament, Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Huntsville, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)AP
It's not often you see a rain delay at a basketball game.
A leak in the roof at the Von Braun Center's Propst Arena in Huntsville delayed the Conference USA men's basketball championship game for an hour and six minutes.
The game, which pits Jacksonville State against Liberty, was originally set to tip off at 7:30 p.m.
Officials say that during warmups, there was a drop of water frequently falling on the court.
Jacksonville State head coach Ray Harper, pointing, spots water dripping on the floor just seconds before tipoff of an NCAA college basketball game between Jacksonville State and Liberty in the championship of the Conference USA tournament, Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Huntsville, Ala. A leak was coming from the roof during a heavy rainstorm and caused a delay to the start of the game. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)AP
Players took the court before Jax State coach Ray Harper took note of the water to officials, which prompted game officials to put towels over the spot of the leak near Jax State's bench.
Officials originally said that the Von Braun Center staff was assessing if the roof can be fixed, and if not, the game would be postponed.
According to the CBS Sports Network broadcast following the leak, officials were trying to find a lift that will help them reach the leak in the roof to repair it.
Staff went on to place multiple tarps under the leak in the roof to catch the water that was falling on the court.
Technicians try to stop the flow of water from the roof before the first half of an NCAA college basketball game between Jacksonville State and Liberty, in the championship of the Conference USA tournament, Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Huntsville, Ala. The roof leak, during a major storm, caused the game's start to be delayed. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)AP
Players came back out of the locker rooms at 8:27 p.m. and had 10 minutes to warm up before the game tipped off following the staff suspending the tarps under the leak.
Liberty claimed the regular-season championship, entering the Conference USA championship game at 27-6 overall and 13-5 in Conference USA.
Jacksonville State finished second in the conference and is 22-11 on the year and 12-6 in CUSA.
The winner of the game will claim the conference championship and advance to the NCAA tournament. Jax State last appeared in the NCAA tournament in 2022 and Liberty's last appearance was in 2021.
