By The Associated Press

Cincinnati quarterback Gino Guidugli was convicted of misdemeanor assault Friday for punching an opposing player during a brawl in an intramural basketball game in March.

Guidugli, a junior from Fort Thomas, Ky., was sentenced to 60 days of house arrest and one year of probation for his part in the fight that broke out after a hard foul.

The sentence could keep the Bearcats' starting quarterback from participating in practices that start Aug. 7. Guidugli, 20, could ask Hamilton Country Municipal Judge David Stockton to allow him to practice, said Mike Walton, the county's chief probation officer.

Bearcats coach Rick Minter said Guidugli will remain on the team.

"He'll be paying his own price due to the judicial process," Minter said. "We'll have some things internally. This won't go unnoticed."

Guidugli said he was trying to break up the brawl and acted in self-defense. But he testified that he "turned around and retaliated," which the judge said in his ruling was different from self-defense.

Two Cincinnati students testified they saw Guidugli punch Levi Harris. Football players Doug Monaghan and Justin Laforgia testified in Guidugli's defense, but admitted they did not watch him during the fight.

The fight was the second time Guidugli was arrested since November. He was cited then on a charge of underage drinking. Municipal Judge Ralph E. Winkler dismissed the charge on Jan. 14 for lack of evidence.