SDSU Suspends Lowery for 2 Years After Fight

Josh Lowery, starting guard for San Diego State’s basketball team, has been suspended by the university for two years because of an on-campus fight but Coach Jim Brandenburg said he is hopeful the penalty will be reduced on appeal.

Lowery received a hearing on the suspension July 2 and a decision is expected before the start of classes in September, Brandenburg said.

“I think he will get some consideration on the appeal,” Brandenburg said Friday night. “Right now, it’s two years, but I don’t think that will hold up.”

Lowery was charged with assault after a May 15 incident during a pickup basketball game on the outdoor courts near Peterson Gym, said Rick Moore, a university spokesman. The case was dropped May 27 when charges were not filed.

According to police reports, Lowery accused another player of tripping him. The report said Lowery then elbowed the player, Paul Sterling, knocking him unconscious. Sterling, 22, fractured his jaw and broke four front teeth.

Lowery, 6-feet, 4-inches and 170 pounds, averaged 11.8 points and 2.1 rebounds last season as a sophomore. He started all 29 games in which he played. He missed the first conference game against New Mexico because of a one-game suspension by the Western Athletic Conference for fighting. The suspension was the result of an incident against Utah in the 1986 conference tournament.

Lowery was listed as a returning starter in a preseason media guide released this week. Brandenburg said it would have been premature to remove Lowery from the guide until there is a decision on the appeal.

Lowery, who has returned to his home in Oakland, could not be reached for comment.