Not Enough Evidence to Charge Givens

Authorities have decided not to file criminal charges against Pepperdine center omm’A Givens for punching and breaking the jaw of teammate Aaron Butler during an altercation at practice Jan. 13.

Martin Herscovitz, deputy in charge of the Malibu district attorney’s office, said upon review of a report by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s detectives there was “insufficient evidence to disprove the most likely defense of self-defense.”

Givens played Saturday in Pepperdine’s 70-67 victory at Loyola Marymount after being held out of three games by Coach Lorenzo Romar. Givens could face additional punishment from the university pending the outcome of an internal investigation.

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Cal State Northridge forward Brian Hagens has been put on academic suspension for the rest of the season. Hagens averaged 3.1 points and two rebounds.