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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Obama back at hard court – on the sidelines

President Barack Obama  watches a basketball game  in Washington on Saturday.  (Associated Press)
Associated Press

WASHINGTON – A day after it took 12 stitches to patch a busted lip President Barack Obama suffered during a game of pickup basketball, he was back on the hard court Saturday – as a spectator.

Obama took the whole family to Howard University, where they watched the Oregon State Beavers defeat the Howard Bison, 84-74. His brother-in-law, Craig Robinson, is the Oregon State coach.

Obama was joined by his wife, Michelle; her mother, Marian Robinson; and daughters Malia and Sasha. Coach Robinson’s wife, their infant son, and his two children from a previous marriage also attended. They sat in the first row on the Oregon State side, just above the court.

The president was injured Friday morning during a game of basketball with friends and family at Fort McNair in Washington when an opposing player’s elbow accidentally struck him in the mouth. Doctors stitched him up after he returned to the White House.