Sports

Marshall Basketball Coach Starts Heated Scuffle By Screaming In Face Over Questionable Officiating

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Marshall UNC Wilmington Fight Basketball Corny Jackson Coach Foul Argument
Seahawk Digital Network

Marshall head coach Corny Jackson decided to pick a fight after his college basketball team lost to UNC Wilmington. He lost his temper.

The heated altercation was in direct response to how the game was called down the stretch.

Officials are always going to play a role in college basketball. They were extremely involved during the closing moments on Wednesday night, which ultimately proved to be the difference.

UNC Wilmington defeated Marshall.

The Seahawks made their last shot from the field with seven minutes and six seconds left in the second half to take a three-point lead. They did not make another basket. Their next 11 points came from the charity stripe. That completely flipped the game.

The Thundering Herd took advantage of the drought to take a seven-point lead with just under 90 seconds left in the game. It looked like it was over.

And then came the free throws.

Matt Van Komen was called for a technical foul just moments after a foul was called on Noah Otshudi. UNC Wilmington cut its deficit to three points with four shots from the line.

Marshall did not score on its next possession. The home team went back to the line with 48 seconds remaining. It made two additional free throws to trail by just one point.

The Thundering Herd again failed to score on its next offensive possession and the Seahawks immediately went back to the line on their next possession. Caleb Hollenbeck fouled out.

Two more free throws gave them a one-point lead. Marshall could not beat the buzzer and lost 70-69.

Corny Jackson was not happy with the college basketball officiating.

Jackson, whose birth name is Cornelius, took over as head coach at his alma mater in 2024. This is his second year at the helm. He is always very animated. His behavior escalated to a tantrum on Wednesday night.

The Thundering Herd was in line to win its sixth game of the season until the foul calls swung momentum in favor of the Seahawks. Jackson did not appreciate how the officials treated his team down the stretch.

He lost his cool at the final buzzer and charged over to Takayo Siddle for a heated altercation.

Both teams had to be separated.

Corny Jackson was a lot more reserved during his postgame press conference. He was still upset with the home cooking but he took accountability for the late-game collapse.

Unfortunately, these two college basketball teams will not play again this season so there will not be a rematch. Marshall dropped to 5-3. UNC Wilmington moved to 8-1.