Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
PROVO — BYU freshman guard Nick Emery let his emotions get the better of him Wednesday night during a loss at rival Utah, by his own admission Thursday afternoon.
The West Coast Conference publicly reprimanded the former Lone Peak standout, and will uphold an NCAA-enforced one-game suspension for Emery's flagrant 2 foul against Utah point guard Brandon Taylor after Emery threw a punch during the final two minutes of the Cougars' 83-75 loss in the Huntsman Center.
Emery will miss Saturday's game against Weber State at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, and he also apologized for his actions in a written statement.
"I apologize to Brandon Taylor for the incident that happened in the game last night," Emery said. "He's a great competitor and I got caught up in the intensity of the game and let my emotions get the best of me. I also want to apologize to coach Krystkowiak, his team, the fans of both schools, and my teammates and coaches.
"I regret what happened and will definitely learn from this experience. I'll continue to play with passion to help our team, but will do better in representing myself, the team and BYU."
Emery was assessed a flagrant 2 for "fighting" and for "striking an opponent during live game action" while guarding Taylor under the basket after BYU's Kyle Collinsworth hit a 3-pointer with 1:44 left in the game.
WCC commissioner Lynn Holzman called Emery's actions "unacceptable" in issuing the conference's reprimand.
"West Coast Conference student-athletes are expected to adhere to the WCC's code of conduct, which includes sportsmanship principles and standards," Holzman said. "Sportsmanship is an essential core value of intercollegiate athletics and a value strongly reinforced by all of the members of the WCC. Mr. Emery's behavior is unacceptable and he is being appropriately reprimanded."
With the suspension, BYU will be without its No. 2 scorer in Emery, who averages 14.7 points and just over four assists per game, as well as post player Jamal Aytes when it takes on the Wildcats on Saturday at 1 p.m. MST at Vivint Arena. Aytes re-injured his ankle in Wednesday night's loss to the Utes.
Jake Toolson is likely to start in Emery's place. The sophomore from Gilbert, Arizona started the first three games of the season for BYU before being replaced by Emery. Toolson is averaging 4.2 points in 14.3 minutes per game in 2015-16, including six points and two rebounds in 15 minutes against the Utes.
BYU coach Dave Rose did not comment on the suspension Thursday, but the school has not announced any additional discipline for Emery.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
