Seton Hall's Gibbs suspended 2 games for punch

Feb 17, 2015 - 8:58 PM South Orange, NJ (SportsNetwork.com) - Seton Hall has suspended leading scorer Sterling Gibbs two games for hitting an opposing player in the face during Monday's loss at Villanova.

Gibbs was assessed a Flagrant 2 foul and ejected with 4:38 remaining in the Pirates' 80-54 setback to the No. 6 Wildcats. The junior guard struck Villanova's Ryan Arcidiacono in the head with a closed fist as the two scrambled for a loose ball.

"Sterling demonstrated poor sportsmanship last night, and he recognizes that what he did was wrong and that he must be held accountable for his actions," Seton Hall head coach Kevin Willard said in a statement.

Gibbs will sit out the Pirates' game at St. John's this Saturday as well as a home matchup with Creighton on Feb. 28. He will be able to return for the team's final two regular season contests.

The Texas transfer is averaging 16.7 points as well as a team-best 3.7 assists while starting all 26 games this season for the struggling Pirates, whose hopes for an NCAA Tournament bid have taken a huge hit with the team having lost five straight.

Gibbs apologized to Arcidiacono through a Twitter message following Monday's game.

"Man that's not who I am," Gibbs tweeted. "I'm sorry to my family, friends, fans, and team for being an embarrassment. Even more sorry to (Arcidiacono).

"I let my emotions get the best of me and that wasn't acceptable at all. I hope you're alright and I will face any consequences coming. Sorry again (Arcidiacono) it really is weighing heavy on my heart."