Punches are thrown before the NMSU vs. UNM rivalry game

An hour before the big rivalry game between UNM and NMSU a fight broke out at center court while the teams were warming up.

Forward Eli Chuha of NMSU had been beefing with UNM’s Corey Manigaalt on social media earlier in the week.

When the two saw each other on the court for the first time a physical confrontation occurred that had to be broken up.

Moments later Manigault and Chuha went back at it. This time punches were thrown.

As you can see by the video obtained by ABC-7, Chuha took a swing at Manigault.

NMSU forward Ivan Aurrecoechea then appeared to try and break it up.

That’s when a punch thrown by Manigault seemingly connects with Aurrecoechea, snapping his head back.

The fight gets broken up immediately after that punch.

Police aided in breaking up the fight and blocked the two teams from each other at half court during the remainder of the pregame warm-up session.

Both Chuha and Manigault were allowed to play in the game. We are still awaiting word on possible disciplinary action.

During the post game press conference Chuha was asked about the altercation but he had no comment.

Neither head coach was on the court during the altercation. NMSU coach Chris Jans had little to say about the incident because he did not see it but UNM and former NMSU coach Paul Weir seemed extremely embarrassed and apologetic.

This is what NMSU coach Chris Jans said after the game: “Yeah, I wasn’t down there. I got word, you know, when I was up in the locker room that there was. And obviously I didn’t have time to investigate it. But certainly we will look into it and address it if need be.”

UNM coach Paul Weir added this about the incident: “We spoke at length prior to this game about being emotionally stable and just competing. And I don’t know what prompted it, so I don’t know how much we had to do with what, but regardless I was extremely disappointed in whatever that happened to be.”