New Mexico State’s Robert Carpenter Suspended Indefinitely After Punching Opponent in Face

Carpenter is the New Mexico State Aggies men’s basketball team’s third-leading scorer this season.

New Mexico State has taken action after forward Robert Carpenter punched Liberty’s Shiloh Robinson in the face, leading to an ejection. 

Carpenter and Robinson became entangled while fighting for position under the basket during the first half of the Aggies’ 79–73 overtime win against the visiting Flames on Thursday. The junior forward was issued a flagrant 2 foul and was ejected for the punch. 

New Mexico State coach Jason Hooten apologized to Liberty coach Ritchie McKay and the Flames program, but the Aggies took things a step further on Friday. 

The program has suspended Carpenter indefinitely, the team said in a statement, per the program’s official website. 

“Following careful consideration of the events that transpired last night, New Mexico State Athletics has made the decision to indefinitely suspend Robert Carpenter from all team activities effective immediately,” the program said.

New Mexico State’s Robert Carpenter, shown taking a shot in a game against Kentucky on Nov. 6, has been suspended for punching Liberty’s Shiloh Robinson on Thursday / Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

The Aggies cited the NCAA’s rules of conduct, which state that a player involved in an altercation must serve a one-game suspension. However, New Mexico State explained that Carpenter’s actions “do not align” with the school’s standards, hence the indefinite suspension. 

Hooten said the Aggies will revisit “the extent of the suspension” in the near future. Carpenter is the Aggies’ third-leading scorer this season with 9.7 points per game.

New Mexico State (10–12, 4–3 Conference USA) plays next at home against Jacksonville State (11–11, 3-4) at 9 p.m. ET Saturday.