Sterling Gibbs leaving Seton Hall after 2 seasons

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. (AP) Seton Hall point guard and leading scorer Sterling Gibbs is leaving the team after two seasons.

Coach Kevin Willard issued a statement Tuesday, saying that Gibbs will be pursuing his master's degree at another school.

Gibbs was not immediately available for comment.

Gibbs was third in the Big East Conference in scoring at 16.7 points and fifth in assists with 3.8. He led the league in 3-point shooting at nearly 45 percent, sixth in the country. The two-time Big East player of the week had nine 20-point games, including a career-high 40-point effort in the championship of the 2014 Paradise Jam.

''We appreciate everything Sterling has done for our program over the last three years and wish him all the best as he pursues a master's degree at another university,'' Willard said in a statement released by the school.

Gibbs is the second starting guard to leave the Pirates (16-15). Jaren Sina departed in early February after Seton Hall lost its third straight game and sixth of eight. He had started the first 23 games.

Gibbs was suspended for two games late in the season for delivering a forearm to the face of Villanova's Ryan Arcidiacono in the second half of a loss in Philadelphia. He returned for the final two regular-season games and the opening round of the conference tournament.