New Mexico State forward Robert Carpenter was ejected from Thursday night's game for punching Liberty forward Shiloh Robinson in the face, and Aggies coach Jason Hooten said he anticipates Carpenter will be suspended.
Carpenter was charged with a flagrant 2 foul and was quickly released to score in the first half of New Mexico State's 79-73 overtime victory at the Pan American Center in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Carpenter and Robinson had tangled while fighting for position under the basket, and as Robinson turned to return to the court, Carpenter punched Robinson in the face. Robinson fell to the ground, clutching his face, and was treated by staff.
Hooten, in his postgame news conference, said he had not had a chance to review the incident or what may have caused it. He apologized to Liberty coach Ritchie McKay for Carpenter's actions, saying they were “not acceptable.”
“That's not the way we're going to do things here at New Mexico State University,” said Hooten, who is in his first year overseeing a program seeking to turn the page on hazing allegations and a deadly shooting last season. pass.
Hooten expressed surprise at Carpenter's actions and called him “a really good kid.” But he added: “There's just no place for that in the game, at all.”
Hooten said he expects Conference USA to suspend Carpenter at least through the Aggies' next game, Saturday against Jacksonville State, and possibly longer once officials review the video.
“My rule is he won't play on Saturday,” Hooten said.
Carpenter, a junior, is in his first season playing for New Mexico State after transferring from Mississippi Valley State. He also previously played for St. Bonaventure. He averages 10.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 0.2 assists in 19.2 minutes per game for the Aggies.
