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A wild scene unfolded after a 72-71 loss to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, as head coach Micah Shrewsberry and second-year guard Cole Certa appeared to charge after an official at the end of the game.
The battling Irish players and coaches must have held them back as the broadcast picked up on the moment and speculated about what led to the frustration.
“It looked like he was attacking one of the officials. I guess? His frustration with Dai Dai Ames’ four-play,” the network commented.
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A disappointed Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Cole Certa (5) reacts after losing to the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons during a men’s college basketball game between the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on December 21, 2025 at Purcell Pavilion in South Bend, IN. (Jeffrey Brown/Sportswire Icon)
This game came down to the final seconds, as Certa’s layup gave them a 67-63 lead, but the Cal Golden Bears responded quickly to cut the lead to two points.
The game ultimately came down to a crucial possession for the Golden Bears, where Ames shot a three-pointer, and as he did so, a foul was called – a massive mistake that allowed Cal to take the lead on a free throw.
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Officials initially overturned the call, but upon review, the reversal was later overturned, allowing Ames to proceed to the free throw line.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Cole Certa (5) dribbles the ball down the court during the game between the Idaho Vandals and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on December 10, 2025 at Purcell Pavilion in South Bend, Indiana. (Joseph Weiser/Sportswire Icon)
Notre Dame had the last shot of the game, but it missed and the Golden Bears returned to victory.
In the heat of the moment, however, Certa was clearly walking after one of the officials, but Shrewsberry came rushing in as the official turned to see the commotion. The official left the field without becoming involved in the confrontation.
Certa is playing an expanded role in his second season in South Bend, playing 20.3 minutes per game compared to 8.1 last season. He averages nine points and 1.4 rebounds per game, while shooting 37.9 percent from the field.
Shrewsberry has been coaching the Fighting Irish since the 2023-24 season, owning a career record of 38-43 over parts of three seasons. He has yet to lead them to an NCAA Tournament bid.
Head coach Micah Shrewsberry of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish watches the Missouri Tigers during the first half at Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center on December 2, 2025 in South Bend, Indiana. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Fighting Irish are 10-5 this season, including 1-1 in conference play.
