Bucknell's Flannery suspended for arguing call against Holy Cross

1/21/2008 4:10 PM

LEWISBURG, Pa. (AP) -Bucknell men's basketball coach Pat Flannery has been reprimanded and will be suspended for one game for arguing a call during Friday's game against Holy Cross.

The Patriot League announced the suspension Monday. Flannery will miss Bucknell's game Wednesday against Lafayette in Easton.

After Bucknell's Todd O'Brien was called for a charge in the second half of the Holy Cross game, Flannery argued with officials, was assessed two technicals and then ejected.

Patriot League Executive Director Carolyn Schlie Femovich said Flannery violated the league's code of conduct.

``This suspension is a direct result of unacceptable behavior as a coach during a basketball game,'' Femovich said. ``The Patriot League requires the highest standards of sporting behavior of coaches, student-athletes and others associated with an athletic competition.''

Flannery, in a school statement, said: ``I deeply regret the incident that took place on Friday night. I'm sorry that my actions reflected poorly on Bucknell and the Patriot League and may have overshadowed the courageous performance by our players in a big victory over Holy Cross. They deserve all the credit for battling back to win that game under difficult circumstances.''

Flannery also pledged to ``maintain the high standards of sportsmanship expected by Bucknell and the Patriot League.''