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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 2:31 p.m., Saturday, March 22, 2008

NCAA: Stanford coach Johnson ejected in first half

Associated Press

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Stanford coach Trent Johnson was ejected in the first half of the Cardinal's NCAA tournament game against Marquette today after getting two technical fouls for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Johnson drew the technicals in quick succession after officials called Stanford's Lawrence Hill for a foul on Marquette's Lazar Hayward with 3:36 remaining.

The first technical was assessed by David Hall as the teams went to a timeout. Johnson received the second technical, and the ejection, from Curtis Shaw when he walked toward the officials near the top of the key with his hands on his hips during the timeout.

"Specifically, he was out on the playing floor and out of the coach's box disputing calls," a statement from the officiating crew said. "After Coach Johnson failed to comply with instructions to return to the Stanford bench, a second technical foul was assessed by Curtis Shaw, resulting in Coach Johnson's ejection from the game."

Stanford assistant Doug Oliver put his hands to his head as Shaw tossed Johnson. He glared at the officials before walking past the Marquette bench and into a tunnel as Golden Eagles fans jeered.

Oliver, who was head coach at Idaho State for eight years, took over for Johnson. Previously, Stanford had received three technicals this season.

Wesley Matthews hit all four free throws awarded for the technicals to give the Golden Eagles a 29-24 lead.

Marquette led 36-30 at halftime.

Hall called offsetting technicals on Marquette's Lawrence Blackledge and Stanford's Robin Lopez after Blackledge fouled Lopez with 11:33 remaining in the game. Lopez, who picked up his third foul, made one of two free throws to extend Stanford's lead to 55-49.