Update, 8 p.m.: The ASUN has suspended North Florida player Jonathan Aybar for one game, which will be served Wednesday against Eastern Kentucky, according to UNF Athletics.
No further comments have been released by UNF Athletics.
Previously:
CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The ASUN Conference and Austin Peay State University have suspended three Govs basketball players after a fight that spilled into the crowd and hallways at the end of Saturday’s game.
Facing ASUN opponent North Florida, APSU was up by one point with 13 seconds remaining. North Florida had the ball and a chance to take the lead, but the Governors’ defense stole the ball and quickly returned to the Govs’ side of the court. APSU’s Cameron Copeland was taking the final shot when a player from North Florida tackled Copeland from behind, according to ESPN video of the play.
Copeland ran back onto the court and pushed the North Florida player. That started a brawl on the court that spilled over into the crowd, and then into the hallways leading to the locker rooms, according to witnesses and video from the game.
On Monday, the ASUN announced it has suspended Copeland, Carlos Paez and Kamarie Coffey for one game each, to be served Wednesday at Stetson. APSU has suspended Coffey for an additional game, which will be served Friday at Florida Gulf Coast.
North Florida has not announced any suspensions.
Saturday night, APSU Director of Athletics Gerald Harrison issued the following statement:
“I am disappointed with the behavior at the conclusion of today’s game with North Florida. Our student-athletes are held to a higher standard, and tonight’s behavior does not represent the ‘Total Gov Concept.’ Austin Peay and the ASUN Conference take pride in sportsmanship. That didn’t happen today. We will work with the ASUN Conference to determine the appropriate path forward and respond accordingly.”
APSU athletics said Monday it would have no further comment.
That was the Govs basketball program’s final game in the Dunn Center before they move to the newly built F&M Bank Arena this year.
Christian Brown contributed to this report.
