Dawn Staley apologizes after multiple players ejected in near-brawl in SEC Women’s Championship
By ADAM ZAGORIA
A near-brawl broke out in the SEC women’s championship game between South Carolina and LSU and multiple players were ejected from the game won by the top-ranked Gamecocks, 79-72.
South Carolina star forward Kamilla Cardoso, the team’s leading scorer and rebounder, was one of six players ejected after she shoved LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson to the floor late in the fourth quarter Sunday. Cardoso, who averages about 14 points and 10 rebounds, will not be eligible for the first round of the NCAA Tournament as a result.
“I just want to apologize to the basketball community,” South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said on ESPN. “When you’re playing a championship game like this, things get heated. No bad intentions, their emotions got so far ahead of them that sometimes these things happen. I want to apologize for us playing a part in that.”
LSU and South Carolina players got into a scuffle in the fourth quarter of the SEC Championship. pic.twitter.com/rXw1tb1jWM
— ESPN (@espn) March 10, 2024
Gamecocks guard MiLaysia Fulwiley had stolen the ball from Johnson, who wrapped her up and was called for an intentional foul. Johnson bumped South Carolina’s Ashlyn Watkins while heading to her bench, and then the 6-foot-7 Cardoso rushed in and pushed the 5-10 Johnson to the ground.
In all, four South Carolina players were ejected and the Gamecocks had six remaining.
LSU was left with only its starting five players after two reserves were disqualified.
A man identified on the ESPN telecast as Johnson’s brother jumped over the scorer’s table onto the court and briefly made contact with Cardoso before being escorted away by police officers.
Staley was screaming towards the LSU bench.
The Gamecocks led 73-66 with 2:08 to play when the dustup took place, and the game was delayed for about 15 minutes while officials reviewed video of the incident.
Dawn Staley spoke about the scuffle between LSU and South Carolina following the Gamecocks' SEC championship win. pic.twitter.com/vnF8WD3boW
— espnW (@espnW) March 10, 2024
(The AP contributed reporting/ )
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