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A wild scene unfolded after a 72-71 loss to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish when head coach Micah Shrewsberry and sophomore guard Cole Certa appeared to charge after an official at the end of the game.
Fighting Irish players and coaches had to hold them back as the broadcast picked up on the moment and speculated on what led to the frustration.
“Looked like he went after one of the officials. My guess? His frustration with the and-one, four-play by Dai Dai Ames,” the broadcaster 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 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/Icon Sportswire)
This game came down to the final seconds when Certa’s layup made it a 67-63 lead, but the Cal Golden Bears responded quickly and cut the lead to two points.
The game ultimately came down to a crucial possession for the Golden Bears, with Ames hitting a three-pointer, and when he did, a foul was called — a massive foul that allowed Cal to take the lead.
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The officials initially reversed the call, but upon review, the reversal was then reversed, allowing Ames to go 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/Icon Sportswire)
Notre Dame had the last shot of the game, but it fell short and the Golden Bears came back for the win.
In the heat of the moment, however, Certa clearly went after one of the officials, but Shrewsberry barreled in as the official turned to see the commotion. The official walked off the field without becoming involved in the confrontation.
Certa is in an expanded role in his second season in South Bend, playing 20.3 minutes per game. game compared to 8.1 last season. He is averaging nine points and 1.4 rebounds per game while shooting 37.9% from the field.
Shrewsberry has coached the Fighting Irish since the 2023-24 season and has 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 looks on against the Missouri Tigers in 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 on the season, including 1-1 in conference play.
