New Mexico State Player Ejected After Throwing Sucker Punch at Opponent

The Aggies forward was ejected and assessed a Flagrant 2 foul.

A New Mexico State Aggies basketball player was ejected from Thursday’s game against the Liberty Flames after landing a sucker punch to the face of his unsuspecting opponent.

New Mexico State forward Robert Carpenter was tossed during the first half of play after an incident with Shiloh Robinson that resulted in the Liberty player clutching his face in pain on the ground.

Replay showed that Carpenter threw a punch directly to the face of Robinson following a change in possession as the Flames forward turned to head back down court. 

New Mexico State player Robert Carpenter lands a right hook on Liberty’s Shiloh Robinson.

Carpenter was ejected, and should face suspension. pic.twitter.com/3XgsxGfc2Q

— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace_) February 2, 2024

The pair appeared to get physical while battling for position in the paint prior to the missed shot on the possession, with arms flying everywhere as they attempted to box each other out. Despite that, the Aggies forward took things too far by throwing the punch, resulting in him receiving a Flagrant 2 foul and an ejection, as well as a likely suspension in the future, too.

Carpenter did not score a point prior to his exit less than nine minutes into New Mexico State’s 79–73 overtime win. The junior is averaging 10.2 points and 4.1 rebounds per game this season in his first year with the program after sitting out the 2022–23 season following a transfer from Mississippi Valley State.