Charges possible after Xavier-Cincinnati brawl

CINCINNATI - An Ohio prosecutor said Monday he will consider criminal charges in the aftermath of a brawl at the end of the Cincinnati-Xavier basketball game.

Hamilton County prosecutor Joe Deters said in a statement that his office would determine if criminal charges were appropriate. He declined further comment.

Deters didn't specify what charges would be considered, but possible charges could include assault and battery or disorderly conduct. A spokeswoman said he hadn't set a timetable for a decision.

Messages for comment were left at the athletic departments for both schools.

The melee caused referees to end Saturday's annual "Crosstown Shootout" game with 9.4 seconds left.

Officials and coaches for both schools have offered apologies and expressed embarrassment. Each team also suspended four players.

Cincinnati's Yancy Gates got the longest suspension, six games. Gates punched Xavier's Kenny Frease, causing a gash that left him bleeding below his left eye, and hit at least one other Xavier player during the fracas.

Yancy Gates suspended for fisticuffs

CBSSports.com's Jeff Goodman says Gates should have received -- at minimum -- a 10-game penalty, maybe even being tossed from the team for good.

"I understand that it was a mistake, one Gates would love to take back," Good man writes. "But it's not as though Gates has been the model citizen, either. He's been suspended by Cronin previously -- and the penalty should have been more severe for this transgression.

Frease also got kicked as the two teams converged on each other. X-rays of Frease after the game were normal.

Xavier, ranked No. 8, won the game on its home court, 76-53.