A fight for position under the rim turned ugly in one college basketball game on Thursday night.
During New Mexico State’s 79-73 overtime win against Liberty, Robert Carpenter battled with Liberty’s Shiloh Robinson under the hoop in the first half — with the former punching the latter and getting tossed from the game.
It all started with just a little under 12 minutes left in the first half as New Mexico State’s Tanahj Pettway took a 3-pointer from the corner that bounced off the rim as Robinson and Carpenter shoved in the paint to try to get the ball.
The shot ultimately kicked off the rim and into the hands of Liberty’s Ben Southerland, and as Robinson tried to move down to the other end of the court, his right shoulder and elbow appeared to hit Carpenter in the chest.
Carpenter took things a step further, slugging Robinson in the face with a punch and knocking him to the floor.
Robinson immediately held his hands to his face as he was eventually helped out on the court by the training staff.
He exited the game and did not return, while Carpenter was called for a technical foul and immediately ejected from the game.
Both players only suited up for two minutes in the game, with Robinson registering a rebound and Carpenter not getting on the stat sheet sans the foul.
Robinson, a senior, has averaged 5.2 points per game off the bench this season.
Carpenter is now at his third Division I school after previously spending time with St. Bonaventure and Mississippi Valley State.
The heated moment came one day after Northwestern coach Chris Collins was ejected from the Wildcats’ game against Purdue after getting the face of a referee.
