Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association commissioner Jim Johnson has replied to Emporia State University’s formal request to review the outcome of the men’s basketball game between the Hornets and Northwest Missouri State University last Thursday (Feb. 7) and the actions of the game’s referee.
ESU had a three-point basket at the buzzer to end regulation waived off after the referee improperly used video replay to reverse the call on the court.
Had the basket been allowed to stand, the Hornets would have claimed a 69-66 win. The game subsequently went two overtimes before Northwest scored a 91-83 victory.
According to NCAA basketball playing rule 2-4.4, once the officials have left the confines of the playing floor and the final score has been approved by those officials it cannot be altered.
“If the conference were to take the action to declare the game completed at the end of regulation, that would be doing exactly what the referee did — inappropriately setting aside the rules of the game,” Johnson said.
“It is unfortunate when the action of one individual has such a significant impact on what was an outstanding Division II college basketball game. However, I do not believe there is an avenue for me to take that would be appropriate within the rules of the game.”
The MIAA has disciplined the official involved, removing him from the schedule for the remainder of the regular season and not scheduling him to officiate during the 2008 MIAA Basketball Championships.
“Like all officials, the gentleman in question will have his position on the MIAA officiating staff reviewed at the conclusion of the season,” Johnson said.
“I appreciate the professionalism with which Emporia State director of athletics Kent Weiser and head men’s basketball coach David Moe have handled this unfortunate situation,” the commissioner added.
courtesy of MIAA.com
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