Samford nearly erased a 22-point deficit against Kansas late Thursday night in the NCAA tournament, but a foul call that appeared to be wrong halted its comeback.

Soon, Samford trailed Kansas 90-89 with 14 seconds left.

Then came the play.

Kansas, wearying, inbounded against Samford’s habitual press. Point guard Dajuan Harris Jr. took the ball, spotted teammate Nicolas Timberlake behind the defense and went all Mahomes, all makeshift left-handed. The 6-foot-4 Timberlake fielded the long pass, dribbled once, stepped twice and leaped up to score.

From behind, the 6-foot-5 Staton-McCray flew in. He crossed behind Timberlake and lunged upward. Timberlake crashed to the floor, which in real time screamed foul. Staton-McCray immediately protested the call, and the crowd joined in with him.