The battle for position under the rim took an ugly turn in Thursday night’s college basketball game.
During New Mexico State’s 79-73 overtime victory over Liberty, Robert Carpenter fought with Liberty’s Shiloh Robinson under the hoop in the first half, and the former punched the latter, causing him to be thrown from the game.
It all started with just under 12 minutes left in the first half, as Robinson and Carpenter pushed into the paint to get the ball, New Mexico State’s Tanaji Pettway took a 3-pointer from the corner, but it bounced off the rim. Ta.
The shot ended up kicking the rim and into the hands of Liberty’s Ben Sutherland, whose right shoulder and right elbow appeared to hit Carpenter in the chest as Robinson tried to step down to the other side of the court.
Carpenter took things a step further and punched Robinson in the face, knocking him to the floor.
Robinson was eventually helped onto the court by training staff and immediately put his hands over his face.
Although he was ejected from the game and did not return, Carpenter was called for a technical foul and immediately ejected.
Both players suited up for only two minutes in the game, and while Robinson recorded a rebound, Carpenter had to foul to get on the stat sheet.
Robinson, a senior, is averaging 5.2 points per game off the bench this season.
Carpenter is currently at his third Division I school after previously spending time at St. Bonaventure and Mississippi Valley State University.
The heated moment came a day after Northwestern coach Chris Collins was ejected from the Wildcats’ game against Purdue after hurting a referee in the face.
