Seton Hall guard Sterling Gibbs was assessed a flagrant foul 2 and ejected Monday night after hitting Ryan Arcidiacono in the face during a scramble for a loose ball in No. 6 Villanova's 80-54 victory in Philadelphia.
Big East associate commissioner Stu Jackson told ESPN.com on Tuesday morning that the conference is reviewing the incident.
Gibbs, the Pirates' leading scorer who is averaging 16.9 points per game, left the game with 4:38 to play after striking the Villanova guard. It was the fifth consecutive loss for a Seton Hall squad that had secured a spot in the national polls earlier this season.
"I am extremely disappointed in Sterling's actions tonight," Seton Hall coach Kevin Willard said in a statement. "Our student-athletes are entrusted to uphold the morals and values of good sportsmanship and personal conduct that we preach to them on a daily basis. Tonight's incident involved a young man of high character showing poor judgment in the heat of competition. It was regrettable, and we will address the issue."
Gibbs offered a lengthy apology to Arcidiacono in a series of postgame tweets.
Man that's not who I am. I'm sorry to my family, friends, fans, and team for being an embarrassment. Even more sorry to @RyArch15 .. I let
— Sterling Gibbs (@SterlingGibbs4) February 17, 2015My 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.
— Sterling Gibbs (@SterlingGibbs4) February 17, 2015Sorry again @RyArch15 it really is weighing heavy on my heart.
— Sterling Gibbs (@SterlingGibbs4) February 17, 2015Arcidiacono accepted the apology, replying:
Emotions sometimes get the best of us. heat of the moment thing. We're all good. @SterlingGibbs4
— Ryan Arcidiacono (@RyArch15) February 17, 2015"Flagrant 2s are always reviewed, and this one will be," Big East spokesman John Paquette told ESPN.com.