Ilona Maher beats herself up after NCAA national

American social media persona {and professional} rugby participant Ilona Maher owned up to a mistake during a halftime present performance at the women’s national championship game on Sunday.

Maher starred during the 2024 Olympics and led Team USA to a bronze medal in women’s rugby, the nation’s first medal in the sport. She has since turn out to be a actuality TV star and in style influencer, with 5.4 million Instagram followers.

The rugby star was current at the women’s national championship game, as UCLA steamrolled South Carolina 79-51, and Lauren Betts was named NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player. During halftime, Maher assisted performer Red Panda, however made an error while she was mic’d up.

Red Panda is a Chinese-American acrobat who rides a tall unicycle while catching and balancing a number of bowls on her ft and head. She has regularly carried out during halftime reveals of NBA games and was current at the national championship game on Sunday.

Maher was mic’d up on ESPN as she assisted Red Panda, tossing bowls to the performer during her act. “I’m breathing deep, I’m breathing deep, I’m scared,” she said.

After efficiently finishing a number of throws, Maher then misjudged her toss, and the bowl hit the flooring, lacking Red Panda. Eager to not make the performer look dangerous, Maher immediately caught her hand in the air and said, “That’s on me! That was me.”

Red Panda accomplished the performance, and Maher started screaming with pleasure after a blockbuster ending. Despite the minor error, followers had been delighted that Maher was a shock visitor during the national championship game broadcast.

“Red Panda and Ilona Maher are the duo I never knew I needed in life,” one fan wrote on X. “Mic’d up Ilona Maher is content we didn’t know we needed,” another added.

“We are witnessing the absolute peak of sports entertainment synergy right here. Ilona Maher mic’d up during a Red Panda set is the only vibe shift that matters,” a 3rd wrote.

After the halftime performance, UCLA continued to dominate South Carolina and clinched its first national championship title in the NCAA period. The Bruins misplaced by double figures in the Final Four last season, however went 37-1 this campaign, and had been worthy champions.

“Connectivity. Attention to detail. You know I looked them in the eyes before in the locker room, before the game, and I said, ‘I’m so proud to be able to say this,'” said UCLA head coach Cori Close. “‘Because all year we’ve been saying the talent is our floor, but our character will determine our ceiling.'”

The Bruins turned the eighth team in the past 30 years to win their debut national championship. Betts was named MOP ahead of attending the 2026 WNBA Draft.