May 22, 2013
GREENVILLE, N.C. --- East Carolina senior guard Shamarr Bowden has been suspended for one game by head coach Jeff Lebo following Bowden’s ejection from the Pirates’ 68-67 loss to UTEP on Saturday.
Conference USA has accepted Lebo’s decision as an appropriate penalty for the incident.
Bowden was assessed with a flagrant foul and ejected at the 12:30 mark of the second half.
“I’m very disappointed in Shamarr’s actions Saturday night,” Lebo said. “There is no place for that in our sport and we don’t tolerate it in our program.
“His behavior was very uncharacteristic, but unfortunately he let his emotions get the best of him. Shamarr is very remorseful about his conduct and understands the consequences. I know he’ll use this as a constructive learning experience to become a better player and better man.”
Bowden, a 6-foot-4 native of Greensboro, ranks sixth on the team scoring and 12th in Conference USA with 1.50 3-pointers made per game. He started each of the first four league games before sustaining an injury that kept him out of the UAB contest last Wednesday.
“I apologize to Konner [Tucker] for my actions Saturday night,” Bowden said. “I also apologize to the Miners, my coaches, my teammates, fellow students and the fans. I’m deeply sorry for losing my composure and not controlling my emotions. In the future I will continue to compete hard and display better sportsmanship toward everyone.”
Neither Lebo or Bowden will comment further on the situation.
The Pirates will host C-USA co-leader Memphis on Wednesday inside Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
