Fan Sinks Awesome Half-Court Shot -- So Why Was He Barred from Receiving the $50K Prize?

A fan participating in a basketball tournament's halftime shot contest might have made a layup, free-throw and the difficult half-court shot, but it's what he missed that kept a $50,000 prize from him.

Alex Permann at the Missouri Valley Conference tournament final Sunday was told he had to make four shots -- a lay-up, free throw, three-pointer and half-court -- within 24 seconds. In the excitement of the contest though, the 24-year-old forgot to stop for a three-pointer and went straight for the half-court shot after sinking his first two. He even jumps excitedly in the air after the swish, not yet noticing his error even though fans had shouted "three" at him.

(Image: YouTube screenshot)

Watch the footage:

After being told he had forgotten one of his target shots, Permann quickly went back to the 3-point line, missed a couple attempts and was then out of time.

USA Today reported Permann, who is an optometry student at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and plays intramural basketball, saying "I guess I don't listen too good."

"Either way, it's been awesome. I just can't believe I made it," Permann told USA Today.

Even though he didn't win the $50,000 prize, Permann was awarded tickets to the MVC tournament for life. The tournament has held the contest since 2004 but no one has come as close to Permann yet. USA Today added that he was also awarded a three-night hotel stay for the tournament next year.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

(H/T: Yahoo! News)