Photo by Michael J. GallegosTribune

Tribune

University of New Mexico head coach Ritchie McKay (left) tries to restrain Tony Danridge as a fight breaks out during the second half against Wyoming. On the floor is the Lobos' Jamaal Smith, who was ejected for fighting along with Wyoming's Brandon Ewing and Brad Jones.

Photo by Michael J. GallegosTribune

Tribune

Lobos teammates Darren Prentice (left) and Jamaal Smith share a laugh in the second half as UNM builds its lead against Wyoming. The Lobos went on to defeat the Cowboys 91-83 on Tuesday night in The Pit.

Video

Three players were ejected for participating in a fight during the closing minutes of the Lobos' 91-83 win over Wyoming on Jan. 30, 2007. Watch »

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It took some defense and a little offense - the combative kind - to pump life into the last-place University of New Mexico.

But the Lobos' biggest scrapper, guard Jamaal Smith, likely won't play in Saturday's game at Colorado State because of his punch thrown during a melee in the closing minutes of Tuesday's 91-83 win over Wyoming in The Pit.

Smith and Wyoming guards Brad Jones and Brandon Ewing were ejected after the officials reviewed video for about 10 minutes with 1:10 left on the clock. The Lobos (13-10, 2-6 in Mountain West Conference) held on for their first win in four games.

NCAA rule 10-19-2 states: "The first time an individual participates in a fight during the season, the individual shall be suspended for the next NCAA game."

Kim Melcher, the communications director with the Mountain West, said the league can strengthen the punishment if it sees fit. The MWC must review the tape Wednesday before making any further decisions, Melcher said.

"It was a terrible incident," Smith said. "I'm sorry that it happened. That's not my nature. This is a first for me. I wish it wouldn't have happened."

Here's the skinny on the fight.

Smith and Ewing ended up on the floor near the basket and made contact when trying to get up.

Jones, who was aggressively helping Ewing, pushed Lobos guard J.R. Giddens, prompting Smith to jump on Jones and throw a punch.

At some time during the mess, Wyoming forward Taylor drop-kicked Smith.

Coach Ritchie McKay and assistant Brad Soucie had to physically restrain Smith seconds later. Lead official David Hall also grabbed Smith to pull him away from the action.

Ewing and Wyoming coach Steve McClain declined to comment about the fight. McClain argued with a Lobos fan on his way up The Pit's tunnel, and later said "real class place this is."

Mike Roberts, the Lobos' play-by-play announcer, said he doesn't recall a similar instance while watching 40 years of games in The Pit.

McKay, however, didn't seem too fazed by the incident. McKay didn't blame his players, namely Smith, for hitting a breaking point.

"I thought our guys responded to what was happening out there," McKay said. "The game got really physical, and about the last five minutes (Wyoming) decided to foul on every possession. As a player, you can only take so much of that. I think Jamaal kept getting pushed down to the ground. How many times can you get pushed down without coming back?"

Smith has had other run-ins with opponents in numerous games this year, often jarring with other players when they foul him or when he falls to the ground - even when he makes a 3-pointer.

But getting physical, at least with fists, is never the intention, Smith said. Remorse showed as Smith hugged Ewing and Jones as all three players were escorted off the court.

Smith said he is disappointed that he probably won't help his team against the Rams, the same squad that defeated UNM 88-79 on The Pit floor Jan. 6.

Smith is averaging 8.1 points and 2.1 assists per game. He finished with six points and two assists against the Cowboys.

"I'm not going to watch the tape again," Smith said. "We'll just let the coaches sort it out."

While one UNM player left the game, numerous Lobos played with the aggressive mentality that sparked the defense.

Such passion might translate into success for the second consecutive game, though the Lobos are 0-7 on the road this season.

"We've got to learn to stay aggressive defensively like we did while not getting out of control," guard Ryan Kersten said.