McClinton ejected from Miami-Ohio St. clash

Dec 3, 2008 - 1:13 AM CORAL GABLES, Florida (Ticker) -- Leading scorer Jack McClinton was ejected from No. 22 Miami's ACC/Big Ten Challenge contest with Ohio State on Tuesday after taking an open-handed swing at an opponent.

McClinton was tossed from the game with the Hurricanes leading, 19-7, with 10:12 left in the first half after the officials reviewed a play in which the senior guard swung at freshman guard Anthony Crater. Moments earlier, McClinton got the ball on the left wing before Crater forced him to pass it after bumping him while defending closely.

After McClinton passed the ball to the top of the key, he took a swipe at Crater - apparently poking him in the eye - right in front of Ohio State coach Thad Motta.

With his defender dazed, McClinton then sank his fourth 3-pointer from the wing, giving Miami the 12-point lead.

With Motta protesting the lack of a call, the officiating crew went to the scorer's table after the basket to review the play and met with both coaches before ejecting McClinton for a flagrant foul.

The flagrant foul was ruled a dead-ball foul and not a fighting foul, preventing McClinton from facing any future suspension for the act.

McClinton, who entered the matchup averaging 15.8 points, made all four of his 3-point attempts for 12 points before being kicked out.