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Injured Obama returns to basketball — as a spectator

WASHINGTON >> It took 12 stitches to patch up that busted lip President Barack Obama got from a pickup basketball game — and now he’s back on the hard court, but this time as spectator.

Obama and his family are taking in the Oregon State-Howard University men’s basketball game a few miles from the White House. Obama’s brother-in-law is Craig Robinson, the Oregon State coach.

With the president are first lady Michelle Obama and her mother, Marian Robinson; daughters Sasha and Malia. Coach Robinson’s wife, their infant son and his two children from a previous marriage are with the Obamas.

Mrs. Obama and her mother and even the baby are showing Oregon State spirit, dressed in the school’s colors, black and orange.

Also in the sparsely attended Burr Gymnasium is Education Secretary Arne Duncan. He’s seated behind the Obamas, who are in the first row above the court on Oregon State side.

The president was injured Friday morning during a game of basketball with friends and family at Fort McNair when he took an errant elbow in the mouth. Doctors stitched up Obama after he returned to the White House.

On Saturday the White House said Obama’s injury required stitches to the left side of his lower lip. The day before, staffers said it was the president’s upper lip that was sewn up. The White House offered no explanation for its error.

During last year’s Thanksgiving weekend, the first family saw Oregon State beat George Washington.

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