College basketball news: Utah Tech player beats opponent after explosive dunk

A Utah Tech basketball player is facing heavy criticism after he appeared to punch an opposing team player after being dunked on in the Trailblazers’ 90-80 loss to Santa Clara.

The incident, which has since gone viral on social media, occurred in the final minutes of Wednesday’s contest after freshman Allen Graves drove to the basket and dunked over Utah Tech guard Chance Trujillo.

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Video showed Trujillo swinging at Graves as he went from below the basket and celebrating the explosive dunk.

Trujillo appeared to make contact with Graves’ jaw.

A Santa Clara basketball player appeared to restrain Graves as officials quickly intervened to prevent a scuffle from breaking out.

Allen Graves (22) of the Santa Clara Broncos dribbles the ball during a college basketball game against the Xavier Musketeers at the Cintas Center in Cincinnati, Ohio on Nov. 10, 2025. (Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

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Both players were issued technicals, but it was not immediately clear whether Trujillo would face further discipline from the Western Athletic Conference.

Trujillo, who is in his first season with the Trailblazers after transferring from Snow College, is averaging 11.7 points and 4.4 rebounds per game this season. He recorded eight points and three rebounds in Wednesday’s road loss.

Utah Tech Trailblazers guard Chance Trujillo (2) looks on during the college basketball game between the Utah Tech Trailblazers and the Arizona State Sun Devils at Desert Financial Arena in Tempe, Arizona on Nov. 9, 2025. (Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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Utah Tech fell to 5-6 this season, while Santa Clara improved to 8-1.