Baylor freshman Brittney Griner will miss two games after punching a Texas Tech player in the Lady Bears’ 69-60 win Wednesday in Lubbock.

Griner punched Texas Tech forward Jordan Barncastle in the face with 9:01 remaining in the game. Video replays show Barncastle and Griner becoming entangled, following by Barncastle slinging Griner away by the arm. Griner then took two steps toward Barncastle and connected on a roundhouse punch to the face.

NCAA rules required at least a one-game suspension for Griner due to what is termed as a “fighting act.” Baylor added an additional game in punishment, announcing the suspension in a press release.

Brittney Griner is Baylor’s top scorer, rebounder and shot-blocker, averaging 19 points, 8.7 rebounds and six blocks per game.
Jerry Larson/Tribune-Herald, file

That means Griner will miss the 14th-ranked Lady Bears’ home game with No. 18 Texas on Sunday, as well as Baylor’s opener in next week’s Big 12 tournament.

“I am very disappointed in the incident which happened during our basketball game last night at Texas Tech,” Baylor coach Kim Mulkey said in the release. “There is no place for those types of actions in sports. I do not condone that type behavior in my program and have dealt with it accordingly. Also, the rules of the game are clear that coaches and players are not allowed to leave the bench area in these situations.

“I don’t believe this incident should define Brittney Griner — either as a person or as a player. Anyone who has been around her knows that she’s a great kid. Her actions last night were very uncharacteristic of her. Unfortunately, she let her emotions get the best of her, and that can’t happen. Brittney is a special young lady, she is great for our game, and I believe she will learn from this mistake and will become a better person moving forward.”

Griner is Baylor’s top scorer, rebounder and shot-blocker, averaging 19 points, 8.7 rebounds and six blocks per game.

Barncastle suffered a broken nose as a result of the punch, according to a Texas Tech release. She continues to be evaluated by doctors, and her status for Tech’s game at Missouri on Sunday is uncertain.

“I’d like to apologize to Jordan for my actions during last night’s game,” Griner said in Baylor’s release. “I also owe an apology 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. I will grow from this and I am dedicated to setting an example to others of how to learn from personal mistakes.”

Texas Tech’s Jordan Barncastle stands at the free-throw line after taking a Brittney Griner punch that broke her nose Wednesday night in Lubbock.
John A. Bowersmith/Lubbock Avalanche Journal

Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe accepted Baylor’s two-game suspension as suitable punishment.

“I commend Coach Mulkey and athletics director Ian McCaw for taking strong action and for their support of the Big 12 sportsmanship standards,” Beebe said. “I appreciate Ms. Griner’s remorse about her behavior and her determination to ensure she is not involved in such conduct in the future.”

Along with the punch, players and personnel from both teams broke NCAA rules by leaving the bench, as only the head coach is permitted to do so. However, the game officials were unable to determine exactly who left the bench, and the Big 12 issued a public reprimand to both teams for their failure to adhere to the rule.

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