BYU center Atiki Ally Atiki was ejected from Thursday’s game with Arizona State for punching opposing forward Akil Watson in the face.
It happened in the final 45 seconds of BYU’s 77-49 win over the Sun Devils in Las Vegas. Ally Atiki was later suspended for Friday’s game against North Carolina State.
During the play, BYU forward Townsend Triple attempted a three and Ally Atiki went up for the rebound. As he came down, he was tangled with several defenders including Watson.
When he fell to the ground, Watson fell with him and Ally Atiki punched him in the back. When Watson turned around, he punched him in the face.
Head coach Mark Pope came in and broke up the fight. Multiple BYU players and a single Arizona State player came off the bench.
For BYU, Ally Atiki and Noah Waterman were ejected. Waterman, whose six 3-pointers fueled the Cougars to victory, came off the bench during the fight. Another BYU player, Spencer Johnson, also came over after being on the bench. He was not ejected.
BYU is playing a two-game tournament in Las Vegas. Thursday was the first leg and it will now play NC State Friday night.
