For the second time this week, a Mountain West game had a controversial ending.
With less than a second on the clock, Boise State's James Webb III caught a pass, turned and launched a fadeway three that banked in for what the Broncos thought was an 87-84 buzzer-beating win over Colorado State.
Here's a slow motion view from the sideline, courtesy of Matt L. Stephens of The Coloradoan.
Slow-motion video of James Webb III's 3-pointer to beat Colorado State that was later called off. pic.twitter.com/2RPiWizl14
— Matt L. Stephens (@MattStephens) February 11, 2016
However, the officials reviewed the play and determined that the clock did not start at the time Webb caught the pass. According to The Coloradoan, officials used a stopwatch to determine that Webb took longer than 0.8 of seconds to release his attempt. By rule (Rule 5, Sect. 1, Art. 18), a player needs at least 0.4 seconds to be able to gain possession of the ball and attempt a shot.
Colorado State went on to win, 97-93, in double overtime.
The Mountain West Conference backed the call in a statement released on Wednesday night, saying the officiating crew followed protocol.
This comes four days after a controversial ending between New Mexico and San Diego State. The referees made an incorrect call against the Lobos, giving the ball back to the Aztecs. Malik Pope would tie the game with a last-second three, and conference-leading San Diego State would go on to win in overtime.
