© Gaby Velasquez/ El Paso Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
UTEP fell to league rival New Mexico State on Saturday night in Conference USA action. Tensions were high as a college basketball fight erupted after the game.
Miners head coach Joe Golding unsuccessfully tried to blow by his counterpart, Jason Hooten, during postgame handshakes. He shoved the Aggies‘ leader when that attempted was thwarted.
The game was highly contested with the final result undetermined up through the last few seconds of regulation. New Mexico State jumped out to an early lead, taking a 38-32 advantage into halftime before fending off a late comeback run.
UTEP closed the gap to two points inside the final 20 seconds of play. That would be as close as they’d get as NMSU iced the game at the free throw line.
The Aggies pulled out the 67-63 victory in front of the home crowd. Golding was eager to return to the locker room after his team’s defeat.
Benches clear in college basketball fight.
Tensions flared at the end of the UTEP and New Mexico State men’s basketball game.
Not sure what sparked it, but UTEP head coach Joe Golding was clearly frustrated with the NMSU side, including head coach Jason Hooten. pic.twitter.com/DJqmybAJ2K
— Sam Guzman (@SamGuzmanTV) February 22, 2026
It’s unclear exactly what sparked the confrontation. Golding appeared frustrated with Hooten and the Ags.
In no mood to chat, he attempted to quickly shake hands and exit the court. Golding was stopped by Hooten, who seemed surprised by the response.
Benches would clear when Golding later shoved Hooten. The UTEP basketball coach was then forcibly restrained by a team member looking to defuse the situation.
Neither coach expanded on the incident.
Here’s what UTEP’s Joe Golding and NMSU’s Jason Hooten had to say Saturday regarding the scuffle. pic.twitter.com/Ar0szur48a
— Sam Guzman (@SamGuzmanTV) February 22, 2026
Golding was asked about what transpired. “Oh, nothing,” he responded while addressing the media.
Hooten offered deeper insight into the college basketball fight but did not provide specific reasoning for the outburst.
“It’s a tough game. Sometimes things get heated. This guy says that and the next thing you know, people are going at each other. I don’t take anything personal.
-NMSU coach Jason Hooten
With the win, New Mexico State moved to 13-13 on the season while UTEP fell to 10-17. Both teams now boast identical 6-10 marks in Conference USA play.