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UCLA guard Sebastian Mack was ejected from Sunday’s game against Utah for a vicious cheap shot. Mack delivered an elbow to an unsuspecting Utes player, making contact with the big man’s neck.
The flagrant foul call effectively ended what had been a productive game to that point for Mack. He started the night 2-for-3 from the field, scoring a quick 4 points for the Bruins before being escorted from the floor.
Mack couldn’t make it through the first half before his frustration got the best of him. While trailing a Utah ball handler up the court, he was screened by opposing center Branden Carlson.
Rather than trying to avoid contact, Mack attempted to run directly through that screen while throwing a high elbow the head/neck area of his opponent.
After review, it was ruled a flagrant 2 and Sebastian Mack will be ejected from the game after this play pic.twitter.com/qul0x9eLji
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) February 19, 2024
The elbow sent Carlson falling to the floor, and the play would immediately be reviewed. After discussion, Sebastian Mack landed a flagrant 2 and was dismissed from the game.
He missed a little under 3/4 of the contest thanks to the cheap shot.
Without Mack in the lineup, the Bruins lost his 13.5 points of production. The man who he elbowed, though, used that cheap shot as fuel.
Branden Carlson scored 17 points while drilling four of his seven three-point attempts. He also led the Utes with seven rebounds and provided a dramatic tip in at the buzzer to give his team an exciting 70-69 win.
BRANDEN CARLSON‼️‼️ pic.twitter.com/fVf42bfloa
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) February 19, 2024
The Bruins couldn’t overcome the loss of Sebastian Mack. It will be interesting to see if further punishment comes from the dirty play.