Shields' status looking up after scary fall

As the Huskers left the court following their 87-63 win over Rutgers, the celebration was understandably subdued. Nebraska came away with the win but suffered a scary moment and is uncertain about the upcoming availability of Shavon Shields.

With 8:49 remaining, a Rutgers player caught the ball under the basket and pump-faked. Shields came flying in from the weak side and leapt high for the block. But the ball was never released, and Shields twisted awkwardly in the air before being undercut and landing on his shoulder/neck area.

Shields lay near motionless on his side for a few minutes before the trainers called for a gurney. Shields was carted off the floor without giving the customary thumbs up that departing players usually flash to the fans to indicate they are OK. Tim Miles said Shields didn't move because he was told to remain still.

According to trainer RJ Pietig, Shields was taken to the emergency room after the game to undergo further testing. Pietig said Shields was alert and awake and had sensation in his arms and legs.

"At this time we don't know too much," Pietig said. "He'll be going through further testing and we've just got to wait to see what comes from those."

Miles said Shields was unconscious for at least a minute and didn't remember what happened upon coming to. Miles called it "as significant of an event as I’ve been through during game."

"I was just worried for him, just scared for him," Miles said. "I'm hopeful that worst-case scenario is ruled out, and it sounds like with use and sensation and feeling, it is. But there are other things that could be a problem.

"Everybody was concerned. The referees are asking and the kids are worried. At that point you just try to get through the game as fast as you can. The game feels so unimportant, right?"

Teammates Benny Parker and Nick Fuller rushed to the stretcher to check on their teammate as the Pinnacle Bank Arena crowd gave Shields a rousing standing ovation.

"It was really scary," Andrew White said. "Most basketball players go through a fall like that. It's just when you land you can hit a back, a shoulder, head, neck. It's very serious because as a player he was doing his job and that's the risk of it."

The senior guard, one of just two players in program history with more than 100 career starts, was having a great game with 17 points (on 7-for-12 shooting), three rebounds and three assists before departing. He is the No. 10 scorer in school history with 1,501 points.

"This could be a significant injury," Miles said. "Hopefully for his welfare and his future it's minimal."

Miles said the team will continue to update Shields' status via the team accounts on Twitter and Facebook.

Shields was conscious on his way to the hospital. He had a CT scan, which was negative. Shavon will follow UNL's concussion protocol. He has been dismissed from the hospital.

“We are relieved and thankful Shavon has been released, and that his injuries aren’t more serious," Miles said in a statement. "We will follow the proper protocol to get him back to full speed. I know Shavon and his family are grateful for everyone’s thoughts and prayers.”