MILWAUKEE (AP) — Nigel James Jr. scored 19 points and UConn coach Dan Hurley was ejected in the final second as Marquette hung on for a 68-62 victory on Saturday that prevented the fourth-ranked Huskies from claiming a share of the Big East regular-season title.
The Big East announced later Saturday that it was fining Hurley $25,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct.
UConn (27-4, 17-3) trailed 64-62 when the Huskies' Silas Demary Jr. drove to the basket while being defended by Ben Gold. Demary’s shot hit the glass and the rim before the ball bounced off a couple of players and hit the floor.
Marquette’s Chase Ross won the battle for the loose ball and got fouled with one second left. Hurley argued the lack of a foul call and was whistled for two technical fouls before heading to the locker room while shaking his head.
Ross then made four of six free throws to account for the final margin.
Replays of that final second showed Hurley stepping onto the court and approaching referee John Gaffney and putting his chest near the official's right shoulder. Hurley said after the game that he yelled “Foul! Foul!” at the back of Gaffney's head, but didn't bump into him.
“You could screenshot whatever you want to screenshot,” Hurley said. “I don’t feel like I made any contact with John. I don’t believe I did.”
Big East officials said a review by the conference office of the officials’ game report and available game footage couldn't confirm physical contact between Hurley and Gaffney.
UConn was attempting to tie No. 18 St. John’s for the Big East regular-season title, though the Red Storm already had clinched the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament starting Wednesday in New York.
Demary scored 17 points and Tarris Reed Jr. added 16 for UConn, which shot just 3 of 24 from 3-point range.
Ross had 14 points, Royce Parham 13 and Adrien Stevens 11 for Marquette (12-19, 7-13). The Golden Eagles have closed a disappointing regular season by winning three of their last four games.
Parham scored eight straight points during an 11-0 run early in the second half that put Marquette ahead for good. Marquette led by 12 with 5 1/2 minutes left before UConn rallied.
Up next
Marquette is the No. 7 seed in the Big East Tournament and will face No. 10 seed Xavier in a first-round matchup Wednesday. The winner of that game faces No. 2 seed UConn in a Thursday quarterfinal.
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