On Saturday, Feb. 3, Nevada defeated Hawai?i in men's basketball, 69-68. With approximately 7.5 seconds left in the game, official Brian Sorenson called Nevada player Nick Fazekas for a foul against Hawai?i player Ahmet Gueye. And approximately two seconds later at the 5.8 mark, official Bill Gracey called Fazekas for a foul against Gueye. Gracey ruled the foul occurred while Gueye was shooting and Hawai?i was given two points on the play.
As the officials then discussed the situation, Sorenson informed Gracey that he called the foul prior to the foul called by Gracey ? and that Gueye was not in the act of shooting. The third official ? Kelly Self ? confirmed that the foul called by Sorenson occurred prior to the foul called by Gracey and that Gueye was not in the act of shooting. The basket was then waved off and Hawai?i’s score reduced by two points.
Media reports that the officials used the video monitor at the scorer’s table to watch the play are incorrect. The officials are prohibited from using the monitor to review this type of play. However, the officials could have gone to the monitor after the play to determine whether time should have been added to the clock but elected not to do so.
WAC commissioner Karl Benson has made the following statement:
“After watching video tape of the play, it is clear that the foul called by Brian Sorenson did occur prior to the foul called by Bill Gracey; and that Hawai?i player Ahmet Gueye was not in the act of shooting,” stated Benson.
He went on to say, “While I am satisfied that the officials ?got it right’ I am disappointed that there wasn’t better communication between them immediately following the play. Better communication would have led to the situation being managed in a more efficient and effective manner.”