SC State player doing better after collapsing at NC State

A South Carolina State player collapsed on the court and was taken to a hospital during the first half of the Bulldogs’ 103-71 loss at North Carolina State on Saturday.

Tyvoris Solomon “is in stable condition and will remain in the hospital for testing and observation,” S.C. State said Saturday evening in a statement.

Emergency medical personnel administered chest compressions to Solomon before he was removed from the court on a stretcher.

S.C. State coach Murray Garvin accompanied Solomon to the hospital and said the four-year starter at point guard was “awake and responding.”

Garvin also said “we would like to thank everyone for all their support and prayers.”

“We are extremely thankful that Ty is stable and continuing to recover,” S.C. State Director of Athletics Stacy Danley said in a statement. “On behalf of SC State University, I would like to thank the NC State Athletic Department Administration, medical staff, first responders and our athletic trainer, Tyler Long, for the extraordinary assistance provided to Ty. Their overall performance was phenomenal and for that we are deeply appreciative and grateful. Please continue to keep Ty and his family in your prayers as he continues down the road of recovery.”

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.

S.C. State assistant coach Rio Pitt declined to provide any details about the moments leading to Solomon’s collapse, and S.C. State players were unavailable for comment.

“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 Garvin dropped to his knees in prayer.

The game resumed after a 40-minute delay. S.C. State team spokesman Kendrick Lewis said Garvin went with Solomon to the hospital. Pitt led the team for the rest of the game.

Once they knew that Solomon was conscious and able to speak, S.C. State’s players decided to continue playing.

“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.”

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).

This story was originally published December 2, 2017 at 5:36 PM with the headline "SC State player doing better after collapsing at NC State."