Legal Action Is Unlikely, Bowen Says : Basketball: Titan forward and Coach Holland say they’ll await action by Big West after brawl involving UCI’s Obiekea.

Cal State Fullerton Coach Brad Holland and forward Bruce Bowen said Monday they probably won’t pursue legal action against UC Irvine’s Uzoma Obiekea, who repeatedly kicked at Bowen’s head during a postgame brawl Saturday.

Holland and Bowen said they will await action by the Big West Conference and UC Irvine. Rod Baker, UC Irvine coach, suspended Obiekea indefinitely Sunday.

“I have nothing to do with that right now,” Bowen said. “I’m going to let the Big West review the tape and see what they do. It’s all behind me.”

When asked if he thinks Obiekea should be kicked off of the Irvine team, Bowen hedged.

“That’s not up to me,” Bowen said. “I feel some type of disciplinary action should be taken against the team. Basketball isn’t meant for fighting. I hope disciplinary action is taken.”

Said Holland: “I’m figuring (the Big West and Irvine) are going to do the right thing. Our staff and our program is not going to gain by (legal action). . . . It’s just a sad state of affairs.”

Holland said a videotape taken by a Fullerton booster incriminates Irvine center Dee Boyer as well as Obiekea. According to Holland, the tape shows Boyer landing a punch to Bowen’s nose from behind Bowen.

“Obiekea started it by charging Bruce and trying to land a punch, and Bruce did a good job avoiding it,” Holland said. “Then from the backside, over Bruce’s left shoulder, Boyer got in a good blow to the face. Then Boyer jumped back.

“It was a real gutless move on Boyer’s part. Bowen had no way to see it--he was trying to get out of Obiekea’s way.”

Holland said the tape then shows Bowen falling and Obiekea kicking him. Holland said that on tape, Obiekea is then restrained by someone but breaks away and begins kicking Bowen again.

Big West Commissioner Dennis Farrell said he will review the incident today and that he expects to look at three videotapes--one from the Orange County News Channel, one from Dimension Cable and the tape from the Fullerton fan--then make a decision on what action to take today or Wednesday.

The brief OCN tape shows Obiekea kicking Bowen in the head and stepping on Bowen’s back and also shows Boyer swinging his arms behind Bowen, though it is unclear if he hits Bowen.

The fight portion of the Dimension Cable tape lasts about 40 seconds. It does not include the beginning of the fighting but shows Obiekea swinging his fists and kicking at Bowen. It also shows Baker stepping in front of Obiekea while Obiekea is swinging at Fullerton forward Todd Satalowich.

Later, Irvine forward LaDay Smith, dressed in street clothes because of a foot injury, is seen throwing aside his crutches and entering the fray to throw a punch. Boyer is visibly continuing to shout and trying to pull away from Irvine assistant Rob Orellana, who is restraining him.

The Dimension tape originally is focused on Titan guard Aaron Sunderland and Irvine guard Lloyd Mumford, who greeted each other with an apparent friendly embrace.

Regardless of the Big West’s decision, Bowen made it clear he would like to avoid legal action.

“I’ve got a lot of games left to be dwelling on this,” Bowen said. “I don’t think that court stuff will be necessary.

“I’m not out to get the man. I’m not that type of person. I feel everything will be all right. There’s no need for me to continue on with (legal action).”