Scoring Snafu Alters Outcome: Montana apologized to Sacramento State, the Grizzlies’ opponent Wednesday, for a scoring error that changed the Hornets’ strategy in the final seconds. The final score was 84-79 — at least that’s what the scoreboard read. But in reality, it should have been 84-80. A scorekeeper apparently subtracted a point from Sacramento State’s score with 1:57 remaining in the game, rendering the score 75-69. The offending scorekeeper claimed to have found a discrepancy from 5:14 to go when the Hornets shot two free throws. The scorekeeper indicated that Sacramento State senior DaShawn Freeman made only one free throw, but the stat crew, press folks and scoreboard operator saw Freeman hit both free throws.
The result of the error was not significant until later in the game, when Sacramento State drained a three-pointer to bring the score to 80-79. But with the additional point, that would have tied the score. As a result, the Hornets intentionally fouled the Grizzlies, and Kevin Criswell drained four free throws in the final 12 seconds to give the Grizzlies the win. Obviously, the Hornets would not have needed to foul if the score were tied at 80, and the game could have gone to overtime. Montana has apologized for the scorekeeper’s error and re-emphasized the importance of accuracy. But that’s probably not much of a consolation to the Hornets. [2/17/06]
