Baylor dunk sensation Brittney Griner likely to be disciplined for punching opponent in face

Baylor’s Griner likely to be disciplined for punch

LUBBOCK, Texas — The Baylor star who created buzz with her above-the-rim dunks is likely to face discipline after punching an opposing player in the face.

Officials ejected Brittney Griner after the freshman punched Texas Tech’s Jordan Barncastle in No. 14 Baylor’s 69-60 win over the Lady Raiders on Wednesday night.

Lady Bears coach Kim Mulkey said she’ll deal with Griner. But Baylor and the Big 12 Conference likely will consider their own punishments as the team prepares for Sunday’s season finale against Texas.

“There’s no place for that in sports,” Mulkey said. “It was ugly for women’s basketball. It was ugly that coaches were on the court, that benches cleared, and I will take care of that with my team.”

Baylor was up 55-39 when Barncastle fouled Griner while guarding her under the Lady Bears basket. As the Tech player was moving away and untangling her arm from Griner, the Baylor standout swung and landed a punch with her right hand on Barncastle’s face.

Griner had scored 21 points when she was ejected with 9:01 to play.

Texas Tech coach Kristy Curry said Barncastle has an appointment in the morning to determine the extent of her injury.

“We’re all in shock right now,” she said. “It’s very unfortunate. It’s very sad. My only concern is Jordan Barncastle.”

Barncastle was not available to the media following the game.

She, Curry and several other Lady Raiders gathered in the arena’s broadcast room after Curry finished with reporters’ questions to view the incident. The replay showed Griner taking an off-balance, roundhouse swing at Barncastle’s face a few seconds after officials called her for a foul on Griner.

Tech (17-12, 5-10 Big 12) trailed 51-31 with 11:19 remaining but used a 14-5 run after the punch to pull within 60-55 with 3:01 left. Baylor hit 8 of 12 free throws down the stretch to seal the win, the fifth straight for the Lady Bears (22-7, 8-6).

Jordan Murphree scored 16 points to lead Texas Tech, which was outrebounded 42-26.

(This version CORRECTS Sunday opponent to Texas sted Missouri.)