Two students were 'prematurely ejected' from Charlotte's 66-61 home loss to the University of Massachusetts Sunday night according to Tom Whitestone, associate athletic director for media relations.

The two, Robert Demetrious and Robert Ferrin, were ejected for interfering with those on the court.

Whitestone said the two students, who sat on the front row of the student section, were removed by security inappropriately and without just cause in the second half. Typically for ejections, security staff are asked to contact athletic department personnel and take down the names of those being ejected. Neither acts were done.

Ferrin, who said he had attended every men's game in his four years at UNC Charlotte, was removed halfway through the second half after attempting to alert referee Mike Eades that his zipper was down. According to Ferrin, students on the front row typically joke with referees before games begin. The officials will either joke back or ignore the students. However, while joking before the game, Eades warned Ferrin that he did not want to have to throw him out.

Later in the game, Ferrin and others noticed the referee's zipper had come down, and attempted to alert him to the situation by chanting. During a timeout, Ferrin shouted to the referee, "Mike, I swear to God, your fly is down." According to Ferrin, Eades answered back that he shouldn't swear to God. Shortly after that, police came down to the front row to remove Ferrin, who left with no argument.

Later in the half, Demetrious was removed for speaking to the Massachusetts head coach. According to Demetrious, the opposing coach would often cross the line where coaches are regulated to stand, and at one point during a timeout, grabbed a player by the jersey and pulled him. Also, while standing outside of his coach's box, the coach collided with Charlotte player De'Angelo Alexander. Demetrious said he used no profanity or vulgar words when commenting to the coach, yet was still removed. According to Whitestone, the students were warned a number of times about their actions. Demetrious said he was not warned prior to being escorted out.

The Athletic Department has apologized to Ferrin for his removal. Demetrious said he has not received an apology. Both students said this will not stop them from continuing to attend 49er-sporting events, and will be in attendance for Wednesday's game against La Salle, where they say they will be more motivated and energized than ever.

"We like the spirit and energy our students bring to the game," Whitestone said. "We don't not want to hurt that spirit and home court advantage, as long as students follow the sportsmanship code."