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Lyons: ‘Matter closed’ after Big 12 reprimands Harris for punch

A Big 12 reprimand appears to be the extent of punishment for Wesley Harris (21), who threw a punch Saturday after a court-storming fan bumped him at Texas Tech.

 

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The Big 12 reprimanded West Virginia forward Wesley Harris for taking a swing at a court-storming fan in the aftermath of the loss at Texas Tech.

The sophomore forward will not face any additional league-imposed discipline. According to a statement from athletics director Shane Lyons, the school also considers the matter closed, clearing Harris to play Monday night when the No. 6 Mountaineers host No. 10 Kansas.

The Big 12 fined Texas Tech $25,000, citing lax postgame security Saturday after the Red Raiders’ 72-71 win.

“We have to provide a safe game environment,” league commissioner Bob Bowlsby said. “The Texas Tech Department of Athletics has a written event management policy which was unsuccessful in ensuring the safety and security of the visiting team game participants.”

After the loss, the Mountaineers waited near their bench, needing to cross the court to reach the visiting locker room. Harris threw a left-hook at a fan who bumped him, and Sagaba Konate (50) also had to be restrained fro the crowd by teammates.

The full statement from Lyons:

“I want to thank the Big 12 Conference and Texas Tech for the positive and open dialogue all three parties engaged in during the last two days. As I said before, this situation involved court security, player safety and postgame emotions and all three had to be taken into account. We will revisit with our student-athletes to again reinforce our expectations regarding sportsmanship issues across all sports. The Big 12 has issued its reprimand. We accept it, and I consider the matter closed.”





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