Florida guard Tyree Appleby helped off court after nasty elbow against Virginia Tech
Florida guard Tyree Appleby was helped off the court during his team’s first-round NCAA Tournament game Friday after being hit by an inadvertent elbow from Virginia Tech’s Keve Aluma.
Appleby was defending Aluma closely when the Hokies forward went to make a one-handed pass across the court and caught Appleby in the forehead. The junior immediately went down holding his head and blood was visible on the court.
Florida staff members helped Appleby to the locker room and the game resumed with Virginia Tech ahead 44-38 midway through the second half.
Appleby had scored six points before departing. Aluma was briefly sidelined with an injury to his arm, but returned.
OUCH! Florida's Tyree Appleby took a DIRECT elbow to his forehead and was immediately cut open. Hope he's okay. #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/t26fZuhPXw
— Busted Coverage (@bustedcoverage) March 19, 2021
CBS sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson reported Appleby had a “forehead laceration” and was receiving stitches in the locker room.
He eventually returned to the bench area with a bandage on his forehead. He did not return to the game. The Gators won 75-70 in overtime.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: March Madness; Florida's Tyree Abbleby needs stitches after elbow to head
