Notre Dame’s Tense Finish Against Cal: Emotions Boil Over After Controversial Call
In a dramatic conclusion to a nail-biting basketball game, Notre Dame head coach Micah Shrewsberry and sophomore guard Cole Certa appeared to charge toward an official following the Fighting Irish’s heartbreaking 72-71 loss to the Cal Golden Bears. The intense moment, caught on broadcast cameras, required teammates and coaching staff to restrain both Shrewsberry and Certa as they expressed their frustration over a controversial late-game call. The broadcast team speculated that their anger stemmed from a critical “and-one” four-point play by Cal’s Dai Dai Ames that dramatically shifted the game’s momentum in the final moments.
The game had been fiercely competitive throughout, with Notre Dame holding a slim lead as the clock wound down. Certa’s layup had given the Fighting Irish a 67-63 advantage, but Cal responded quickly to narrow the gap. The pivotal moment came when Ames attempted a three-pointer for the Golden Bears. As the shot fell through the net, officials called a foul—a decision that would ultimately prove decisive. This controversial call initially appeared to be reversed but was reinstated upon review, giving Ames an opportunity for a free throw that provided Cal with the lead they would not relinquish. Despite having the final possession of the game, Notre Dame’s last-second attempt fell short, sealing their defeat.
The aftermath revealed the raw emotions that competitive sports can elicit. Broadcast footage showed Certa clearly approaching an official, with Shrewsberry rushing in behind him as the official turned to notice the developing confrontation. Wisely choosing to avoid escalation, the referee walked off the court without engaging with the visibly upset Notre Dame representatives. The scene highlighted the intense pressure and emotional investment that comes with high-stakes college basketball, where split-second officiating decisions can determine outcomes and potentially impact seasons.
For Cole Certa, this season represents a significant step forward in his collegiate career. The sophomore guard has seen his playing time more than double from his freshman year, now averaging 20.3 minutes per game compared to just 8.1 minutes last season. His contributions have grown accordingly, with Certa providing the Fighting Irish an average of nine points per game while shooting a respectable 37.9% from the field. His expanded role reflects the development process that is so central to college basketball, where players often make substantial leaps in responsibility and production between seasons.
Micah Shrewsberry, now in his second season at the helm of Notre Dame’s program, continues to work toward building a consistent winner in South Bend. With a career record of 38-43 over parts of three seasons as a head coach, Shrewsberry has yet to guide the Fighting Irish to an NCAA Tournament appearance—the benchmark for success in major college basketball programs. This particular loss to Cal represents the kind of setback that can be especially frustrating for coaches working to establish momentum, as close defeats in winnable games often feel more painful than lopsided losses.
Despite the disappointing result against Cal, Notre Dame has shown promise this season with a 10-5 overall record, including a 1-1 mark in conference play. The Fighting Irish will need to regroup quickly from this emotional defeat as they continue their conference schedule. How they respond to this adversity could prove telling for their season trajectory and whether they can position themselves for postseason consideration. For Shrewsberry, Certa, and the entire Notre Dame program, the challenge now becomes channeling the passion displayed in that heated moment into productive energy for the remainder of their campaign.
