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By Matthew Couden
Contributing Writer
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The No. 4 UConn Huskies looked to clinch a share of the Big East Conference title on Saturday when they took on the upset-minded Marquette Golden Eagles. Unfortunately, the six-time champion Huskies suffered a disappointing road loss, ending their bid for the conference title and a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
It also ended in chaotic fashion, with head coach Dan Hurley erupting at the nearest referee. The Huskies coach exploded after UConn guard Silas Demary Jr. attempted to drive to the basket for a game-tying layup when a Marquette defender met him in the lane, preventing the shot.
However, Hurley believed a foul occurred on Demary's late-game drive. He marched up extremely close to the ref, yelling at him from nearby, with some indicating that Hurley made contact with the official, John Gaffney, during his tirade.
Read More on NCAA
Read more: Dan Hurley Responds to Referee Bumping Claim After Ejection in UConn Loss
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The heated confrontation was enough to prompt Gaffney to assess two quick technical fouls on the UConn coach, officially ejecting him from the game. Hurley headed to the locker room with one second left on the clock and his team's fate sealed as Marquette received multiple free throws due to his technicals.
The Golden Eagles won on their senior day, 68-62, behind a 19-point performance from their guard, Nigel James Jr. Demary led UConn with 17 points, eight assists, and four rebounds in the losing effort.
Hours after the game had ended, the Big East announced Hurley's fine, with the UConn head coach receiving a $25,000 fine for his "unsportsmanlike conduct" in Saturday's game.
"We hold our coaches to high standards of sportsmanlike conduct during game competition, and inappropriate interactions with our officials will not be tolerated," Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman stated.
There had been some individuals suggesting that Hurley would get suspended for making contact with an official, which would keep him away from his team's first game of the Big East Tournament.
Hurley dismissed the claim that he bumped into Gaffney during his postgame comments. A review of the incident via game footage and the officials' report couldn't confirm any such contact.
"I've been ejected before, and I've been back out there," Hurley also said postgame, adding, "It's not my first rodeo."
Hurley and the UConn Huskies will begin their conference tournament with a quarterfinals matchup on Thursday, March 12, facing the winner of a first-round game at New York City's Madison Square Garden.
Read more: UConn's Dan Hurley Gets Ejected for Heated Exchange in Marquette Upset
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