DETROIT (1/4/2022) -- The University of Detroit Mercy women's basketball game at Cleveland State, scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 6 at 7 p.m., has been canceled due to COVID-19 concerns within both programs.
Horizon League policy, vetted by multiple membership groups and approved by the Horizon League Council, states that contests that are canceled due to COVID-19 are to be considered forfeits unless deemed a no contest by the Commissioner. League policy authorizes the Commissioner to deem a cancellation a no-contest when the involved institution can demonstrate that extraordinary circumstances led to the cancellation. Given the surge in positive cases due to the Omicron variant, the Council agreed that a high volume of breakthrough cases among vaccinated individuals is considered extraordinary.
Pending review, the Horizon League will make a determination on whether this game will be deemed a forfeit or a no contest at a later time.
Detroit Mercy's next game is at Purdue Fort Wayne on Saturday, Jan. 8 at 2 p.m. ET.
UPDATE FROM HORIZON LEAGUE:
Cleveland State-Detroit Mercy Women's Basketball Game Canceled, Deemed No Contest
INDIANAPOLIS – Cleveland State and Detroit Mercy announced on Tuesday that their women's basketball game scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 6 has been canceled.
The announcement followed positive COVID-19 tests within the Cleveland State and Detroit Mercy tier I individuals.
Horizon League policy, vetted by multiple membership groups and approved by the Horizon League Council, states that contests that are canceled due to COVID-19 are to be considered forfeits unless deemed a no contest by the Commissioner. League policy authorizes the Commissioner to deem a cancellation a no-contest when the involved institution can demonstrate that extraordinary circumstances led to the cancellation. Given the surge in positive cases due to the Omicron variant, the Council agreed that a high volume of breakthrough cases among vaccinated individuals is considered extraordinary.
Both teams sought to deem missed competition on January 6 a no contest since they are both unable to field a team due to continued breakthrough cases among vaccinated student-athletes. Commissioner Julie Roe Lach granted the requested relief noting that both teams were not medically cleared to participate in the game.
