'Somebody hit the wrong button!': Hilarious moment Barclays Center officials accidentally set off the confetti cannons with 18 minutes left to play in A-10 Championship Game

The A-10 Championship Game was thrown into disarray on Sunday afternoon when officials at the Barclays Center accidentally set off the confetti cannons with 18 minutes still left to play.

Duquesne fans might have been dreaming of their first March Madness appearance in 47 years with a 15-point lead over VCU - but it's fair to say they hadn't quite yet readied themselves for the celebrations.

Therefore, it will have come as a huge surprise in Brooklyn to find themselves being showered with confetti, while the players were still battling away on court.

In hilarious scenes that left both the two teams and fans baffled, play caller Kevin Harlan screamed: 'Confetti is falling on the floor! They're going to have to stop play!

'We can't see our notes. The players can't work out on this court. Confetti is everywhere! Somebody hit the wrong button!'

With 18 minutes left to play, the confetti cannons were set off early at the Barclays Center

The players and referees looked baffled as the multicolored paper began to fall on the court

Fans in the stands took it in their stride, jokingly celebrating their win earlier than expected

When the players and referees realized what had happened, play was immediately stopped for the quick clean-up operation - and perhaps to fire the intern who accidentally went early on the button.

No. 6 seed Duquesne Dukes did go on to win the A-10 Championship and book their spot at the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1977.

In total, they had only made it five times in the past, once in the 40s, once in the 50s, once in the 60s and then twice in the 70s.

Officials quickly raced onto the court to clear the streamers and get play back underway

In the booth, the commentators were left to clear up their desks so they could see their notes

Since then, the Pittsburgh-based college have had to deal with a middling existence, and semi-regular NIT appearances.

That has all changed now, though, under the stewardship of coach Keith Dambrot.

At the Barclays Center, the Dukes saw the game out 57-51... and thankfully for their fans, there was a little bit more confetti left to drop from the rafters.