Wagner College’s NCAA Tournament journey came to an abrupt and controversial end, as a disputed foul call in the final seconds allowed Saint Francis (PA) to escape with a dramatic 63-62 victory in the opening round of March Madness. The officiating decision has since sparked widespread debate among fans, analysts, and former players.
A Dramatic Finish Clouded by Controversy
With Wagner clinging to a one-point lead in the closing seconds, Saint Francis guard Josh Cohen made a move toward the basket, closely guarded by Wagner forward Brandon Brown. As Cohen attempted a layup, Brown contested the shot, seemingly making minimal contact. However, the referees called a foul, sending Cohen to the free-throw line with just 1.2 seconds remaining.
Despite immediate protests from Wagner’s bench and players, the call stood. Cohen sank both free throws, flipping the lead in Saint Francis’ favor. With no timeouts left, Wagner was forced to attempt a desperation heave at the buzzer, but the shot missed, sealing their elimination from the tournament.
Backlash Over the Call
The controversial whistle ignited a firestorm of reactions on social media, with many questioning whether the referees should have allowed the play to continue without interference. Slow-motion replays appeared to show minimal contact, leading to arguments that the officials had too much influence in deciding the game’s outcome.
ESPN analyst Jay Bilas weighed in on the call, saying, “You never want a game to be decided by a borderline foul like that. At that stage, the officials need to be absolutely certain that it impacted the shot.”
Wagner’s Reaction and Season Reflection
Despite the frustrating finish, Wagner’s head coach Donald Copeland took the high road in his post-game comments. “It’s tough. We battled all year, and I’m proud of this group. I know calls don’t always go your way, but I feel for our guys,” he said.
Wagner’s tournament appearance was a testament to the team’s perseverance throughout the season. The Seahawks defied expectations by securing a tournament bid, and their near-upset of Saint Francis showcased their competitive spirit.
Moving Forward
For Saint Francis, the victory sends them into the next round, but even their players acknowledged the controversial finish. “We played hard, and we’ll take the win, but I understand Wagner’s frustration,” Cohen admitted post-game.
While Wagner’s season comes to a heartbreaking conclusion, their performance throughout the year proved they belonged on the national stage. Yet, the debate over officiating in high-stakes moments will continue to be a major topic as March Madness unfolds.
