HOUSTON (AP) – For Gonzaga, the timing could not have been worse.
Coach Mark Few told The Associated Press the NCAA called to inform him officials blew the call on a 10-second violation that went against the Bulldogs late in Syracuse’s come-from-behind win in the Sweet 16.
The turnover came with 1:17 left and Gonzaga leading 60-59. Josh Perkins skipped a pass for Kyle Dranginis into the front court, and Syracuse’s Trevor Mooney deflected it back across the line, where Dranginis grabbed it again.
Refs called a 10-second violation but the 10-second limit in the backcourt should have reset once a player touched the ball in the front court.
Syracuse scored the last four points as part of a 15-3 run to end the game for a 63-60 win. The Orange went on to another come-from-behind victory, two days later against Virginia, and is in the Final Four with a semifinal against North Carolina set for Saturday.