> At a Glance
> – Auburn fans threw trash at referees after officials waved off a last-second buzzer-beater
> – The 90-88 loss to Texas A&M ended in chaos with no referees reportedly hit by debris
> – Both coaches criticized the officiating crew for poor communication
> – Why it matters: The incident highlights ongoing tensions over referee decisions in high-stakes college basketball
A dramatic buzzer-beater turned into chaos as Auburn fans expressed their fury over a controversial officiating decision.
> ## The Controversial Finish
With 0.6 seconds left, Auburn guard KeShawn Murphy appeared to sink a game-winning shot from near half-court. The crowd erupted in celebration as players mobbed Murphy on the court.
Moments later, referees announced the shot didn’t count and Texas A&M had won 90-88.
> ## The Fan Reaction
Video showed fans screaming at the officiating crew and throwing garbage as security escorted them off the court. Despite the windfall of debris, no referees appeared to be struck.
The angry crowd chanted “Ref, you suck!” for several minutes after the game ended.
> ## Coaches Speak Out
Both coaches criticized the officiating crew’s handling of the situation:
- Texas A&M’s Bucky McMillan complained about a clock malfunction that added time back after free throws
- Auburn’s Steven Pearl said there was “zero communication” about the final decision
McMillan stated:
> “That game should have been over at the free throw line. A malfunction of the clock or that game was over.”
Pearl added:
> “They didn’t say a word. They just said it was no good and ran off the floor.”
> ## Key Takeaways
- Auburn’s apparent buzzer-beater was overturned after review
- Texas A&M won 90-88 in the controversial finish
- Both coaching staffs criticized the officiating crew’s communication
- The SEC game ended with fans throwing debris at officials
The dramatic finish and subsequent fan reaction underscore the intensity of college basketball and the scrutiny faced by referees in crucial moments.
