Brent Yarina, BTN.com Senior Editor, December 22, 2014
Last month, two-time plane crash survivor Austin Hatch hit a free throw in the waning moments vs. Wayne State to enter the scoring column.
That was an exhibition game, though, meaning Hatch entered Michigan's non-conference finale vs. Coppin State on Monday night with zero career points.
Good news: Hatch hit the middle of three free throws late in Michigan's 72-56 win to officially enter the scoring column.
He also attempted his first career field goal, a missed 3-pointer that his teammates and the fans tried their best to will in.
The fact Hatch has gotten here, to the point that he can get on the court and score, is unbelievable. It was just three years ago, after all, that the second plane crash left Hatch in a coma and forced him to relearn how to do pretty much everything.
You can bet Hatch is enjoying it all. Check out the smile on his face as he prepares to shoot the free throw that he made.
Austin Hatch with a smile on his face as he shoots a ft and scores his first official college point pic.twitter.com/2GjPfW08Xi
— Dustin Johnston (@DJPhotoVideo) December 23, 2014
The smile only got bigger after he entered the scoring column and received congratulations from his teammates on the floor.
John Beilein was pretty happy, too.
Great @USATsportsImage shot of @umichbball John Beilein congratulating Austin Hatch. pic.twitter.com/qfuhwZ8L8q
— Brent Yarina (@BTNBrentYarina) December 23, 2014
Here's some Twitter reaction:
Austin Hatch scored his 1st collegiate point..This is a truly great day!!!!!!
— Dan Dakich (@dandakich) December 23, 2014
I look forward to the day when Austin Hatch can enter a game, score, and it not be a big deal. Not there yet, but we will be soon.
— Drew Hallett (@DrewCHallett) December 23, 2014
https://twitter.com/NicoleAuerbach/status/547225312267096064
So happy for @UMMaizeRage's Austin Hatch. Awesome story.
— Crimson Guard (@IUCrimsonGuard) December 23, 2014
