College Basketball

UPDATE: Niagara women's team rescued after more than 24 hours on bus

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 11:47 p.m. ET

Brett Smiley

UPDATE: The Niagara women's basketball team finally was rescued from their snowbound bus after more than 24 hours.

We are safe at toll plaza. Making our way to police station and then to campus. pic.twitter.com/cd7iWoWClm
— Kendra Faustin (@kfaustin) November 19, 2014

Off bus! These gentleman rescued us! pic.twitter.com/e6BhOax7c6
— Kendra Faustin (@kfaustin) November 19, 2014

An arctic blast that's pummeled parts of the U.S. near the Great Lakes has left hundreds of vehicles stranded, including the team bus for the Niagara University women's basketball team. Some parts of the region are getting ripped with enough snow to bury 5-foot-5 Astros second baseman Jose Altuve.

The unplanned team bonding experience has left 24 members of the program on the bus since 10 p.m. ET Monday, after the team played a game in Pittsburgh, WIVB reports. At 2 a.m. Tuesday, the bus encountered the Snowpocalypse and stopped moving. As of 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, the bus remains pulled over on the New York State Thruway near West Seneca, which is fairly close to Ralph Wilson Stadium, where the Bills play.

The players on the bus are doing ... OK, according to Coach Kendra Faustin.

. @wgrzMichael pic.twitter.com/cBEjtrOkjF
— Rene'e Polka (@rpolka24) November 18, 2014

Going on 18 hrs #NUWBBstrandedonbus pic.twitter.com/5JXS8DOSyv
— Focused. (@sylvoslice24) November 18, 2014

Spoke with state police. They are pulling people out of cars unconscious. We are so blessed to be warm and together. #NUWBBstrandedonbus
— Kendra Faustin (@kfaustin) November 19, 2014

Thank you to Niagara County Sheriff & NF volunteers who brought juice, soda and snacks! #moralboost #manyThanks #CHOCOLATE ?
— Kendra Faustin (@kfaustin) November 19, 2014

We have been praying each hour. It has now been 24 hours. Keep us in your prayers #NUWBBstrandedonbus pic.twitter.com/hWR2fCOkEB
— jamie (@jimmbo_10) November 19, 2014

The bus still is running and players have been able to communicate with their families, and now everyone can participate with the hashtag #nuwbbstrandedonbus.