Alleged dispute with referee leads to battery charge for NBA player

A National Basketball Association player has been charged with misdemeanor battery in Las Vegas after, a police report said, he threw a ball at a female referee after a pickup game last year.

According to a police report, Houston Rockets guard Kyle Lowry, 25, threw a ball at InFini Robinson, 30, after a pickup game between NBA players at Impact Basketball on Sunset Road on Sept. 22. The report said Lowry twice threw a ball at Robinson, striking her in the torso and shoulder. He is accused of threatening Robinson and challenging her to a fight.

Robinson was on the women's basketball team at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas from 2002 to 2004.

Later, Lowry apologized to her, saying, "I'm sorry. I truly apologize for what I did. I let my emotions get the best of me," according to the report.

A summons was issued for Lowry. A court date was scheduled for Feb. 2 in Las Vegas Justice Court.

The Houston Rockets acknowledged the charge in a statement but declined further comment.