The Western Athletic Conference has announced it will treat the final six games on the New Mexico State University men's basketball schedule as forfeits.
The decision comes one day after NMSU suspended its men's basketball program indefinitely as it investigates allegations that three players assaulted a teammate on more than one occasion — behaviors consistent with hazing.
Related: NMSU Cancels Rest of Men's Basketball Season Amid Hazing Allegation
As reported by ESPN, a police report that cited three players for false imprisonment, harassment and counts of criminal sexual contact against a teammate led to New Mexico State's decision Sunday and the WAC's ruling Monday.
"While there is no perfect solution to this unfortunate situation, I believe we landed in the right place," WAC commissioner Brian Thornton said in a statement, as reported by ESPN. "I applaud our Athletic Directors for working collaboratively with our staff to reach this decision.
"We are in the midst of the best statistical season in the WAC's history, and we wanted to create the most equitable solution that did not unfairly advantage or disadvantage institutions that lost opportunities to improve their standing. Ultimately, every institution will maintain the ability to control their destiny based on the results of their remaining conference contests."
The Aggies' schedule included games at California Baptist (Feb. 11), at home and away versus Abilene Christian (Feb. 15 and March 1), at home versus Texas-Rio Grande Valley (Feb. 18), at home versus. Grand Canyon (Feb. 22) and at Tarleton (March 6). Each opponent will be given a conference win in the WAC standings. However, the NCAA will not recognize the forfeited games as part of the teams' overall record.
New Mexico State was 9-15 and 2-10 in the WAC under first-year coach Greg Heiar at the time the season was suspended.
A campus police report redacted the names of the players involved but detailed the victim telling investigators that on Feb. 6, he was held down while his bared buttocks was slapped and his scrotum touched. The victim said other incidents had been occurring since last summer, and that inappropriate physical and sexual touching by his teammates had been occurring in the locker room and on road trips, ESPN reported.
