Baylor's Griner suspended 2 games for throwing punch

DALLAS - Brittney Griner, the dunking freshman sensation for No. 14 Baylor, has been suspended for two games after throwing a punch that broke an opposing player's nose in a Big 12 game.

Lady Bears head coach Kim Mulkey said in a statement issued late Thursday that Griner will be suspended for one game in addition to a one-game suspension mandated by NCAA rules.

Griner was automatically suspended for Baylor's next contest, Sunday's matchup against No. 18 Texas in Waco. Mulkey's additional one-game suspension will force Griner to miss Baylor's Big 12 championship tournament opener March 11 or 12.

"Due to the severity of the act, it is appropriate that Ms. Griner is suspended for an additional game," said Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe in a statement. "Therefore, I have accepted Baylor's action and commend athletics director Ian McCaw and head coach Kim Mulkey for taking a strong stance to support good sportsmanship."

The Big 12 tournament is next week in Kansas City, Mo., and Baylor is all but guaranteed a spot in the NCAA Tournament the following week.

In the written statement from Baylor, Griner apologized to "the Lady Raider team, my teammates and coaches, the fans and the game of women's basketball."

"I let my emotions get the best of me and I am deeply sorry for my actions. I am committed to doing a better job of maintaining my composure in the future," she said. "I will grow from this, and I am dedicated to setting an example to others of how to learn from personal mistakes."

On Wednesday night, she punched Texas Tech's Jordan Barncastle in the face after the two players tangled in the second half of Baylor's 69-60 victory in Lubbock.

Barncastle's father and former high school coach, Doug Barncastle, said his daughter's nose was broken and declined further comment.