Gonzaga student makes half-court shot at women’s game to collect cool $1,700

Practice on halfcourt shots paid off for Gonzaga senior Nick Glazewski.

Glazewski, from Edmonds, Washington, was one of three contestants chosen to throw up the halfcourt heave following the first period of the Gonzaga women’s game against the BYU Cougars on Thursday night.

During both the men’s and the women’s games, three fans are chosen to take a half-court shot in an effort to earn money if they can drain the basket. The amount of money a fan can win also increases each game a fan does not make a half-courter.

After Glazewski’s shot bounced off the backboard and into the hoop, fans at the McCarthey Athletic Center erupted as Glazewski celebrated near midcourt.

His lucky shot earned him $1700, which he says will help fund a trip he is taking to Las Vegas with some friends for the West Coast Conference Championships.

The WCC tournament is scheduled to begin on Thursday March 2, and culminate with the championship on Tuesday March 7. Although Gonzaga is scheduled to hold class during the dates of the tournament, Glazewski says it is a must-attend event for his senior year.

This was the first time a fan has made the half-court shot this season. There has been a total of 26 home games played among the Gonzaga men’s and women’s teams.

Glazewski said that although he has practiced half-court shots in the past he believes it may be the first time he ever made one.

Originally slated to shoot the half-courter was Glazewski’s housemate Nate Long. Since Long could not make it to the game Glazewski stepped in – and took home some cash in return.

Fans chosen to shoot the half-court shot Saturday when Gonzaga’s men host Santa Clara will still have the chance to win more than $1500. The amount a contestant can receive by making a shot at a women’s game will reset to $100 when Gonzaga hosts Loyola Marymount next Thursday.