The path to the NCAA tournament included a bench-clearing conflict and handcuffs now “part of” women’s basketball.
A different kind of March Madness overtook the teams at Sunday’s SEC women’s basketball championship when little more than two minutes remained in the contest between the Louisiana State University Tigers and the University of South Carolina Gamecocks.
Down seven points, play was whistled dead when LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson appeared to foul South Carolina’s MiLaysia Fulwiley. Tensions boiled over when the Gamecocks’ Ashlyn Watkins got in Johnson’s face, only to receive a shove for her trouble.
It was then that teammate Kamilla Cardoso charged the offending Tiger and promptly shoved her, sending the opposing player down to the court.
Within seconds, players, officials and even some fans could be seen converging, leading one individual who had been seen jumping over the scorer’s table, later identified as Johnson’s brother, to be taken away in handcuffs.
Holy smokes. The SEC women’s basketball tournament final has gone wild.
Shoves, near fights and the brother of an LSU star jumped over the scorers’ table. He has been handcuffed and taken away. pic.twitter.com/vm8cKdPu7E— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) March 10, 2024
welll… pic.twitter.com/qGFFvRFICf
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) March 10, 2024
What followed was nearly 20 minutes of stoppage to wrest control back on the court and review the incident that led to four South Carolina and two LSU players getting ejected for the remainder of the contest.
While most of the ejections had been decided for clearing the benches, Sports Illustrated specified that Cardoso’s removal was specifically for fighting and, as a result, would be suspended from the first game of the NCAA tournament whereas eligibility for the other ejected players had not changed.
Taking to social media after the final buzzer, Cardoso posted a blanket apology that spoke to her behavior.
“I would like to extend my sincerest apologies for my actions during today’s game,” she wrote on X. “My behavior was not representative of who I am as a person or the South Carolina program, and I deeply regret any discomfort or inconvenience it may have caused. I take full responsibility for my actions and assure you that I am committed to conducting myself with the utmost respect and sportsmanship in the future.”
I would like to extend my sincerest apologies for my actions during today’s game. My behavior was not representative of who I am as a person or the South Carolina program, and I deeply regret any discomfort or inconvenience it may have caused. I take full responsibility for my…
— Kamilla_Cardoso (@Kamillascsilva) March 10, 2024
Meanwhile, during the postgame press conference, South Carolina coach Dawn Staley addressed the melee and said, “What you saw were two teams, highly competitive teams, try to win a conference championship and they did not handle it well.”
Recognizing that Johnson had apologized directly to her for her actions after the foul, Staley went on to assert, “People see that and think, you know, that is our game, cause it isn’t. Our game is a really beautiful thing and, to be quite honest, this is a part of it now. So we have to fix it and we have to move on.”
Full answer from Dawn Staley when asked about the final minutes of the game. Says she doesn’t want the people tuning into women’s basketball to think that’s “our game.”
Includes Flau’jae Johnson’s apology to Staley after the game: “She’s a really good person.” pic.twitter.com/FAwLAT54T7
— Julia Westerman (@JuliaWesterman) March 10, 2024
South Carolina went on to secure their victory against LSU with a final score of 79-72 as comments suggested that Staley’s concern was founded, while LSU’s coach Kim Mulkey expressed her desire that she would have preferred Cardoso push a different player.
It’s part of the game! You’ll bounce back better than ever!
No go complete the perfect season and win that National Title!
— E.K. Johnson (@CoalitionHoops) March 10, 2024
Heat of competition, already forgotten.
— Kenya Sullivan (@kenyaseemenow) March 10, 2024
We all lose our heads in sports sometimes. Most athletes hate to lose at all cost.
— Nick Saban (@sabanfaux) March 11, 2024
Dawn apologized for what happened on the court today.
Kim Mulkey said “I wish she would of pushed Angel Reece”
You can’t make this shit up. What a clown show of a coach.
— Evan (@Big_Eazzzzy) March 11, 2024
It was ugly by all three sides. LSU, SC and the refs. But only one of those made apologies.
— Kevin (@kmrailey) March 11, 2024
Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn't researching current events and their impacts, you'll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.
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