DURHAM, N.C. — While Duke women’s basketball coach Kara Lawson is confident the first half of her team’s game at Florida State was mistakenly played with the larger basketball used for men’s games, the ACC issued a statement disputing that claim Friday morning.
In a press conference following her team’s 53-44 win over Pittsburgh at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Thursday night, Lawson brought up Duke’s 70-57 loss at Florida State last Sunday. She explained how the wrong ball was used in the first half and, after Duke’s players complained to their coaches about the ball, a change was made at halftime after Duke’s staff pointed it out to the game officials.
“We alerted the head official to come and look at it,” Lawson said Thursday night. “He came and looked at it, and he changed the ball. We then played the second half with a women’s ball. It’s been very frustrating that at this level of basketball, that a mistake like that happens that could have impacted the outcome of the game.”
But, in a statement from ACC on Friday morning, the league said its investigation could not determine if the wrong ball was used.
“Upon completion of the game, the conference office was made aware of the allegation and immediately conducted a comprehensive review,” the statement said. “This included discussion with all parties involved, including game officials, game administrators, table crew and both schools. Following the thorough and objective review process, there was no evidence found to support the claim.”
For girls age 12 and up, including NCAA and professional play, the basketball used is smaller than the one used in the men’s game. The women play with a basketball that’s a 28.5 inches in circumference that weighs 20 ounces. The men play with a basketball that has a 29.5-inch circumference weighing 22 ounces.
Lawson didn’t totally blame the situation for her team’s loss, saying. “Let me be clear, Florida State beat us. They beat us playing with a men’s ball in the first half and a women’s ball in the second half. But I can’t say if we’d have played with a women’s ball in the first half and in the second half, that we would have won. But they can’t say that either.”
Duke is currently 19-3 overall this season, and 9-2 in ACC play.
Lawson said Duke made complaints to both Florida State and ACC officials but were told nothing could be done to change the game’s outcome.
That’s in adherence with NCAA rules, according to the ACC.
“Per NCAA playing rules, there is no appeal or protest process,” the ACC statement said. “The conference continues to prioritize and support our nearly 10,000 student-athletes in a world-class manner and conduct its 27 sponsored sports with the utmost integrity. The conference office considers this matter to be closed and will have no further comment.”
Even before the ACC’s statement, Lawson was not satisfied with how the situation was handled. Lawson called it “embarrassing for our sport” saying this would never happen in a men’s game.
“My players don’t deserve that and neither do their players,” Lawson said. “It’s a complete failure. And you can figure out who the people I’m talking about that failed the sport in our players and both teams and the lack of accountability is striking. When you make a mistake, you own it and you own it right away. You don’t pass the buck. It’s what I teach my players every day. You make mistakes, you own them, you own them right away, and then you move forward. But the first thing you have to do is you have to admit admit that a mistake was made. I’m not perfect, but I admit when I make a mistake and a mistake was made here and it’s a big one.”
Lawson said the ACC has made one change to its procedures since last Sunday. She said during the pregame meeting with the team captains and officials, everyone will be asked to ensure the correct basketball is in use.
