Notre Dame coach charges referee after losing on controversial 4-point play call

Notre Dame head coach Micah Shrewsberry was livid Friday after the final buzzer sounded in his team’s dramatic loss to Cal.

The Fighting Irish led the Golden Bears 71-68 with less than 10 seconds left at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley, Calif. One stop was all Notre Dame needed to escape the road venue with a victory.

Cal star Dai Dai Ames wanted to go for the tie, but ended up getting even more than that. With Notre Dame guard Logan Imes hounding him across the full length of the court, Ames got fouled while taking a side-step triple from the left wing. Ames sank the shot, which was initially ruled a four-point play.

CAL WALKS OFF NOTRE DAME ON A 4 POINT PLAY

Notre Dame was trying to “foul up 3” pic.twitter.com/f0ssCEICmr

— College Basketball Content (@CBBcontent) January 3, 2026

The play was then overturned and deemed a foul on the floor, before referees conferred and reversed the call again. The final call was that Ames got fouled while shooting a three-pointer.

The Cal junior sank the go-ahead free throw to give his Bears a 72-71 victory on a shot that would make Larry Johnson proud.

Shrewsberry was furious once the final buzzer sounded. The Notre Dame coach charged one of the referees who was on his way to the tunnel. Shrewsberry had to be restrained by members of his coaching staff to prevent the situation from escalating further.

A wild scene following Cal’s 72-71 win over Notre Dame. Micah Shrewsberry loses his mind and tries to go after an official. pic.twitter.com/isIIQGnlvh

— Matt Freeman (@mattfreeman05_) January 3, 2026

Notre Dame led by double digits in the first half but saw its lead evaporate after halftime. It was Ames’ huge second half that lifted Cal to victory.

Amex scored 17 of his 23 points after the break, including two triples in the final 11 seconds to stun the Irish on their way out of Haas Pavilion.