The Big East Conference suspended Providence forward Duncan Powell for two games in addition to the NCAA’s automatic one-game ban following a fight in the second half of Saturday’s home loss to No. 17 St. John’s.
In a statement on Sunday, the league cited Powell’s “combative actions” after a flagrant 2 foul that earned him an ejection with 14:25 left in the Red Storm’s 79-69 win.
“After the on-court video review, game officials determined that Powell engaged in additional combative actions that constituted a fighting act subsequent to the flagrant foul,” the Big East stated.
With the Friars clinging to a 40-39 edge, Powell clotheslined former Providence standout Bryce Hopkins as he went up for a breakaway layup. As Hopkins got up off the floor and stood up to Powell, players and coaches flew off both benches to try to restore order.
Following a delay of nearly 20 minutes for a video review and discussion, Providence’s Powell and Jaylin Sellers were ejected along with Dillon Mitchell, Kelvin Odih, Ruben Prey and Lefteris Liotopoulos for St. John’s — the latter three dismissed for leaving the Red Storm’s bench.
St. John’s (20-5, 13-1 Big East) sank three of the four ensuing free throws to start an 8-0 run and take a 47-40 lead as Providence (11-15, 4-11) never got closer than four points again.
“Providence College holds its student-athletes and coaches to the highest standards,” Providence athletic director Steve Napolillo said in a statement Sunday evening. “We fully support the suspension that the Big East has issued to Duncan Powell. His actions were unacceptable and do not reflect the values, discipline, or sportsmanship expected of anyone representing Providence College.”
Powell will sit out Saturday’s game at DePaul, the Feb. 24 home game against Xavier and the Feb. 28 game at Creighton.
Powell finished with three points, five rebounds, one assist and one block in 16 minutes on Saturday. For the season, his first at Providence as a graduate transfer from Georgia Tech, Powell has averaged 4.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 17.8 minutes in 20 games (five starts).
