Big East announces additional punishment for Providence's Duncan Powell after fight

One of the more surprising events of the college basketball weekend involved police officers needing to help break up a fight between Providence Friars and St. John’s Red Storm players during what became a 79-69 win for No. 17 St. John's.

The matter started when Providence's Duncan Powell committed a hard foul on St. John’s guard/forward Bryce Hopkins with 14:25 left in the second half. Powell then appeared to throw at least one punch at a St. John's player before he was ejected from the contest. 

On Sunday, the Big East announced that Powell has been suspended "for two games in addition to the automatic one-game suspension mandated by NCAA rules for fighting." 

Why Providence's Duncan Powell was suspended

"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 said in its released statement. "As a result of the three-game suspension, Powell will miss the Feb. 21 game at DePaul, as well as the Feb. 24 home game vs. Xavier and a Feb. 28 game at Creighton."

Powell was one of six players ejected for their roles in the skirmish. Later in the second half, Providence's Jamier Jones was tossed from the game for a hard foul on St. John's star big man Zuby Ejiofor. 

As Adam Zagoria noted for NJ.com, members of the Providence student section taunted Hopkins with profanity before and after the fracas took place. Hopkins previously played three seasons at Providence, and St. John's head coach Rick Pitino said after his team improved to 20-5 on the campaign that the home crowd "lost objectivity of what they’re here for." 

Providence responds to Duncan Powell punishment

Providence fell to 11-15 and will now be without Powell for three games. Per ESPN stats, he is averaging 4.9 points and 3.1 rebounds per contest. 

"Providence College holds its student-athletes and coaches to the highest standards," athletic director Steve Napolillo said in a separate statement. "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."