State of New MexicoThe Western Athletic Conference said Monday that its remaining six games have been canceled after the men’s basketball program canceled the remainder of the season.
A police report citing three players for false imprisonment, harassment and sex offenses with a teammate led to a decision by the State of New Mexico on Sunday and a ruling by the WAC on Monday. .
The Aggies’ schedule includes games at California Baptist (February 11), home and away against Abilene Christian (February 15 and March 1), home against Texas-Rio Grande Valley (February 18) , home to the Grand Canyon (February 22) and at Tarleton (March 6). Each competitor will be awarded a grand slam win in the WAC rankings; however, the NCAA will not recognize canceled games as part of the team’s overall performance.
WAC commissioner Brian Thornton said in a statement: “While there is no perfect solution to this unfortunate situation, I believe we have come to the right place. “I applaud our Athletic Directors for working with our staff to reach this decision.
“We are in the midst of the best statistical season in the history of the WAC, and we want to create the fairest solution that doesn’t unfairly advantage or disadvantage organizations that have lost an opportunity to improve their position. Ultimately, every organization will maintain control over their own destiny based on the results of their remaining conference competitions.”
The campus police report, obtained by multiple outlets, including ESPN, redacted the names of the players involved. The report details the victim telling investigators that on February 6, three members of the team pinned her down, “undressed to expose her buttocks, and began to ‘slap'” [buttocks].'” He went on to say that they also touched his scrotum.
The victim told police he had no choice but to let this happen “because it’s a 3-on-1 situation”. His teammates have appeared in the dressing room and on road trips.
The report said that on Friday, the victim went to police on campus to report possible assault but temporarily did not want criminal charges.
New Mexico State was 9-15 and 2-10 at the WAC under freshman coach Greg Heiar.
