DaytonDailyNews.com

Dunbar was declared the winner of Saturday night's boys high school basketball game at Belmont after an altercation between two players caused play to be suspended with about two minutes remaining.

The Dunbar player involved was 6-foot-9 senior forward Aaron Pogue, who now faces a two-game "retaliation" suspension, according to what Dunbar coach Pete Pullen says he was told by game officials.

That would knock Pogue out of Friday's game against Colonel White and also a first-round sectional tournament game against Little Miami as Dunbar begins defense of its Division II state title.

"Aaron didn't have a chance to get a punch in, but the referee said he was getting two games for retaliation, which I don't think is fair," said Pullen, who indicated he might appeal the ruling.

Pullen saw the incident this way: "One of their guys came up from behind and snuck around and hit Aaron in the face. Once he hit him, Aaron went after him."

Dunbar led 62-43 when the altercation occurred and play was halted. Ten police cars responded, according to Dayton Police Lt. Randy Beane, but the fracas was confined to the court and quickly quelled.

"The gym was cleared," Beane said. "We've been in situations like that where it really got ugly. That's why we sent so many (officers). But you have to give it to the kids. Most of them remained very calm and exited the building as requested."

Belmont coach Billy Brooks said his player involved in the scuffle with Pogue was Sherrick Smith, but he denied that Smith threw a punch. "He was tired of being elbowed," Brooks said.

Norris Cole led Dunbar with 20 points in the abbreviated victory. Pogue finished with 10.