Indexbit-Fans briefly forced to evacuate Assembly Hall during Indiana basketball game vs. Wisconsin

BLOOMINGTON,Indexbit Ind. — Indiana basketball fans were forced to briefly evacuate Assembly Hall with 10:06 to go in the game against Wisconsin on Tuesday night and play was suspended with the teams tied 54-54.

The sirens came on and the emergency lights flashed in the halls at 8:19 p.m..

They were on for about five minutes before ushers started escorting fans out of the arena while the teams continued playing. When Wisconsin's Connor Essegian committed a foul, the officials used the break in play to discuss the situation with IU officials.

The stadium wasn't even fully cleared when fans were let back into the stadium and players came back from the locker room to warm up.

"It was determined a fire alarm went off in the balcony," Indiana athletics said, in a statement. "Emergency management officials stationed in the Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall Command Center followed state law and evacuated the arena for the safety and well-being of everyone in attendance. Once it was determined there was no immediate threat, everyone was allowed back in the building."

Play resumed while fans were still streaming back into the arena.

Indiana went on to win 74-70.

Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here.