Basketballer gives rival embarrassing lesson

It's the golden rule of sport.

Now, a US basketball player has learnt the hard why keeping your eye on the ball is so crucial.

Playing in a women's college clash, Colgate Raiders defender Mariah Jones copped a tough lesson when her decision to turn her back on Lafayette Leopards rival Jamie O'Hare cost her team the match.

With the game locked at 56-all, O'Hare took a throw in from underneath the Raiders' basket.

But instead of passing to a teammate, the Leopards guard cheekily aimed the ball at Jones', who was standing just inside the court with her back turned, and then grabbed the rebound to lay-up the sneakiest of baskets.

O'Hare's move proved a match-winner with the Leopards winning by 58-56 and earned Jones an unwanted place in the list of dumbest plays in sport.

Now that's a harsh lesson.