Former Hawkeye basketball star Pierre Pierce faces up to two years in prison. Today, the 22-year-old was sentenced in Dallas County court ten months after an incident at the West Des Moines home of his former girlfriend.

Pierce is serving three sentences at the same time. The longest, two years, is for assaulting a woman with intent to commit sexual abuse. With good behavior, Pierce could be out in less than a year.

A Dallas County judge took less than 15 minutes to decide 22-year-old Pierre Pierce's fate. Two years for assault with intent to commit sexual abuse. One year for false imprisonment. One year for criminal mischief. Add to the prison time a five year suspended sentence for burglary, which will begin after Pierce's release.

Pierce?s attorney Alfredo Parrish told TV9, ?He's pretty sad right now but he's a strong man and he'll be fine."

Pierce tried to convince the judge he would behave without prison time. He spent ten minutes apologizing, saying he learned his lesson. ?Truly, deep down in my heart, I am sorry for my actions."

But Pierce's words and the 35 letters from family, friends and fans testifying to his good character weren't enough to overcome a statement read by the victim. ?They never saw the look in his eyes when he was strangling me, throwing me against the wall or kicking me."

The victim sat in the public courtroom and spoke out for the first time since Pierce attacked her in her West Des Moines home last January.

Twice now Pierce pleaded guilty to assaulting a woman. Three years ago, the court deferred judgment, keeping him out of jail. But not this time. Prosecuting attorney Patricia Houlihan told TV9, ?This is not a case about giving a young man a second chance. This is about keeping and holding a repeat offender for what he did."