Duncan Powell of Providence received a three-game ban due to “aggressive conduct” on Sunday, following his expulsion as one of six players from Saturday’s 79-69 defeat against No. 17 St. John’s.
Powell, whose forceful infraction against St. John’s guard Bryce Hopkins sparked the altercation, was issued a two-game ban by the Big East Conference. This was in addition to a compulsory single-game suspension dictated by NCAA regulations for brawling.
The Big East’s statement conveyed on Sunday, “Following a video assessment on the court, match referees concluded that Powell participated in further aggressive behavior that amounted to an act of fighting subsequent to the egregious foul.”
Powell is set to miss Saturday’s match against DePaul, in addition to home games versus Xavier (Feb. 24) and Creighton (Feb. 28).
Providence, which had lagged by up to 13 points in the first half, made a comeback in the second period to establish multiple slender leads, holding a 40-39 advantage with 14:25 remaining. This was when Hopkins — a former Providence player for three seasons — ascended for a quick layup and was struck across his head and face by Powell’s arm, sending him to the floor.
Hopkins rose and advanced towards Powell but was restrained and led off by his ex-teammate, Friars forward Oswin Erhunmwunse. More players on the court became embroiled, and the adjacent St. John’s sideline personnel could no longer be contained as the jostling and pushing persisted while trainers, officials, and security personnel endeavored to quell the situation.
The match was halted for close to 20 minutes as the officials deliberated the sanctions. Besides Powell, Jaylin Sellers from Providence and St. John’s Dillon Mitchell, Ruben Prey, Sadiku Ibine Ayo, and Kelvin Odih were also expelled.
The Associated Press supplied information for this article.