In a dramatic turn of events during the Jack Jones Hoops Classic, Arizona State University (ASU) basketball head coach Bobby Hurley was ejected with just four seconds left in the first half against Santa Clara. This unexpected incident unfolded at Lee’s Family Forum while ASU trailed 49-38.
Details of the Ejection
Hurley received two technical fouls for disputing the officiating after his team was not awarded favorable calls in a physically intense matchup. Following his ejection, assistant coach Nick Irvin took over as head coach for the remainder of the game.
Game Highlights
- Key Players: Christian Hammond led the Broncos with 18 points in the first half, while ASU’s Moe Odum contributed 12 points.
- Turnovers: ASU struggled with 10 turnovers, which allowed Santa Clara to score 17 points off those mistakes.
- Three-Point Shooting: Santa Clara excelled from beyond the arc, going 9-for-15 in the first half.
- Game Statistics: At halftime, the score was 55-38 in favor of Santa Clara.
Significance of the Game
This matchup was particularly notable as it marked the 1,000th career game for Santa Clara head coach Herb Sendek. Sendek, a former coach at ASU, faced his old team in this milestone game.
Upcoming Challenges
With both teams entering the game with impressive 8-2 records, the second half promises heightened intensity. ASU will need to regroup under Irvin’s leadership as they strive to close the gap against Santa Clara.
