Skipped shot costs student $50,000

ST. LOUIS, March 11 (UPI) -- A University of Missouri-St. Louis student missed out on a $50,000 contest prize Sunday by not making a 3-pointer before sinking his half-court shot.

Alex Permann had 24 seconds to make a layup, a free throw, a 3-pointer and a bomb from mid-court during the contest before the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament championship. The 23-year-old South Dakota native made the first two shots but instead of trying a 3-pointer, he raced to center court and heaved the ball into the hoop with 2 seconds to spare.

The crowd of 16,659 at Scottrade Center went wild and Permann started to celebrate, only to be told the $50,000 wasn't his because he skipped a shot.

"Little bitter about that," a clearly disappointed Permann told Fox Sports Kansas City. "But oh well. Hopefully we can get enough press and pressure them into hopefully [handing over the money]."

That apparently wasn't going to happen as Missouri Valley Conference officials showed Fox Sports Kansas City an affidavit, signed by Permann acknowledging he had to make all four shots to claim the prize.

Permann didn't go away empty-handed, though. Conference officials presented him with a lifetime all-session pass to the MVC Tournament and a contest sponsor provided a year's supply of pizza and doughnuts.

All in all, Permann said, "It was an awesome experience."