SALT LAKE CITY — Three more stories from the world of sports in today’s From Left Field.

1. UCLA’s unlucky cheerleader

One of the scarier moments in cheerleading led to one of the more unlikely sequences of misfortune for one UCLA cheerleader during a basketball game between the No. 10 Bruins and No. 5 Oregon Thursday night.

During a break in the action in the second half, one of UCLA’s cheerleaders fell as the team performed one of its formations, leading her to hit her head on the court.

Then, as someone carried her off the court quickly to seek medical attention, the individual tripped over a seating pad lying on the floor in the pathway from the court to the locker room tunnel. This led to the man falling over and landing on top of the injured cheerleader.

Both incidents were caught on camera.

Luckily, ESPN reported during its broadcast that the cheerleader was OK. UCLA also overcame a large deficit to win the game 82-79.

2. Dallas Stars’ embarrassing own goal

Speaking of misfortune, the Dallas Stars unfortunately scored on themselves Thursday night.

In the first period between the Stars and Ottawa Senators, the Stars pulled their goalie with a delayed penalty called against the Senators. This meant that play would continue until Ottawa gained possession of the puck — and so Dallas pulled its goalie to have an extra skater for a chance to tie up a game that they were trailing 1-0.

However, in the most unusual way, a pass from center ice back to the Dallas defense went between the two defenders and right into the empty net.

Of course, the Stars went on to lose the game by one goal, 3-2. How unfortunate.

3. Bus driver leaves college hoops team behind

Now focusing on the bizarre side of sports, St. Louis University’s basketball team got stranded in Olean, New York, Wednesday night after its bus driver left without them.

The Billikens had just finished a game in which they lost to St. Bonaventure 70-55. The team then posted a photo of its players and coaches just waiting around in the arena because the bus left without them.

According to the Associated Press, police used the head coach’s iPad to track where the bus was and it was pulled over 40 miles from the arena. Eventually, New York State troopers arrested the 56-year-old driver on suspicion of driving a commercial vehicle while intoxicated.

The driver had a blood alcohol content level of .22 percent, according to the Associated Press. The team eventually was able to get another bus to reach the first bus and reclaim their belongings. They wouldn't return to St. Louis until 3 a.m. Thursday.

Related topics