Romanian prosecutors say a suspect has been detained over the killing of former Sacred Heart guard Chauncey Hardy, who died after being attacked in a bar in Romania.

Ionut Adrian Tanasoaia surrendered to police early Monday. He is accused of beating up Hardy in a bar in the southern Romanian city of Giurgiu on Saturday night. Tanasoaia reportedly attacked Hardy because he wanted to dance with his girlfriend, the Mediafax news agency reported.

Romanian Basketball Federation chief Carmen Tocala told GSP radio that Hardy died Sunday, suffering two heart attacks following his beating, the Huffington Post reported.

We are deeply saddened by the loss of a fine young man who had his life cut short at such a young age while he was overseas doing something he loved, Sacred Heart Athletic Director C. Donald Cook said in a statement.

Hardy died shortly after undergoing surgery in a Bucharest hospital on Sunday. Police spokeswoman Mirela Gheta said the 23-year-old Hardy suffered severe head injuries and was in a coma when he was admitted to the hospital.

Hardy, who played for CSS Giurgiu in southern Romania, was celebrating a victory over rivals Dinamo Bucharest.

This is a terribly tragedy and we are saddened as a University and a basketball program, Sacred Heart men's basketball coach Dave Bike said in a statement. This is not just about a basketball player, but the person as well. It transcends what happens on a basketball court. We feel tremendous sadness and loss for Chauncey's family and those who were close to him.

Hardy averaged 12.5 points for Sacred Heart in 2009-10.

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