The rivalry between SEC foes LSU and South Carolina reached recent heights when an altercation broke out during Sunday’s conference championship game. Multiple players were ejected and Gamecocks center Kamilla Cardoso was suspended for the primary game of the NCAA tournament, the SEC confirmed Monday.
Wondering what happened between the 2 national title contenders and the way it would impact their performances in March Madness? Here’s a recap of Sunday’s brawl and what it means for the longer term:
What’s the story?
An extremely competitive game between the national title contenders in late January, during which South Carolina overcame a 5-point halftime deficit to win 76-70, raised the stakes for their eventual postseason meeting. Both teams then entered the ultimate match of the conference tournament, following exciting semifinals. South Carolina narrowly avoided Tennessee because of Kamilla Cardoso’s stunning 3-pointer – the primary of her profession – while LSU players said they were playing within the title game for teammate Last-Tear Poa, who left Saturday’s Tigers game on a stretcher after suffering a concussion in fourth quarter.
What happened on Sunday?
Before the late-game exchange, players traded spikes, and moments of verified (and unverified) chip contact led to the purpose where a brawl broke out.
LSU star Angel Reese and Cardoso argued throughout the sport, with Reese pulling Cardoso’s hair with 5:15 left within the second quarter after which Cardoso shoving Reese at about 4:34. Seconds later, Reese was whistled for an intentional foul for elbowing Cardoso within the face. Cardoso also had foul trouble, coming off the bench after scoring his third goal early within the third quarter.
The brawl broke out with just over two minutes left in the sport when LSU guard Flau’jae Johnson pulled on South Carolina’s MiLaysia Fulwiley’s jersey, slowing her progress as she dribbled down the court. Johnson then bumped into South Carolina’s Ashlyn Watkins. Cardoso ran over, pushing Johnson to the bottom.
LSU and South Carolina players got right into a fight within the fourth quarter of the SEC Championship. pic.twitter.com/rXw1tb1jWM
— ESPN (@espn) March 10, 2024
The benches were mostly empty as players ran to midcourt before coaches separated their teams. The fan, identified within the ESPN broadcast as Johnson’s brother, left the stands, jumped over the scorer’s table and was briefly on the sector before police escorted him off the ground.
Johnson’s brother, identified as Trayron Milton, was arrested for disorderly conduct and assault and battery. Milton was booked into the Greenville County Jail.
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Who got kicked out? Why?
After about a 20-minute delay, officials called Johnson for an intentional foul and sent Cardoso off. All players on each teams were also ejected for leaving their respective bench areas, aside from South Carolina’s Sania Feagin, who didn’t leave the Gamecocks’ bench, and Te-Hina Paopao, who was already on the scorer’s table to be transferred to the bench. game. Feagin replaced Cardoso on the court after being ejected.
Why was Cardoso suspended?
She was suspended because she was ejected for fighting, which is defined in NCAA rules. The remaining players sent off were sent off for leaving the bench. Because they weren’t disqualified from the sport for fighting, these players didn’t receive suspensions.
Will her absence impact South Carolina within the NCAA Tournament?
I do not think so. Even though Cardoso will miss the tournament’s opening game, the Gamecocks will still be heavy favorites, taking the No. 1 overall seed on Selection Sunday and can face the No. 16 seed, which has surpassed the team. Over the last five tournaments, South Carolina has won its first game by a mean of 29.8 points.
Watkins, who’s averaging 9.7 points and seven.1 rebounds, will likely fill Cardoso’s absence.
What the players and coaches said after the match
Reese stated that she had never played in a match that resembled Sunday’s championship match, but described it as a fight between “two heavy hitters.”
LSU coach Kim Mulkey said Cardoso pushing Johnson was “inappropriate” and addressed the peak difference between the players. Cardoso is 6-foot-7 and Johnson is 5-10.
“It’s ugly. It’s not good. Nobody wants to be a part of it. Nobody wants to see the ugliness. But I can tell you one thing: I wish she would have pushed Angel Reese. Don’t push the baby – (you’re) 6-foot-8 inches. Don’t put that little pressure on anyone,” Mulkey said. “Let those two girls that were barking, let them play.”
South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said she took responsibility for what happened on the Gamecocks’ end and added that Johnson contacted her after the sport.
“Flau’jae came to me after the match, right after the match, and just apologized and said she wasn’t that type of player. I really appreciate that. It’s something no one will ever hear if I don’t say anything. And she doesn’t. She is a really good person. Things just escalated,” Staley said.
Cardoso shared her apology on X, formerly referred to as Twitter.
“My behavior was not representative of me as a person or the South Carolina program, and I deeply regret any discomfort or inconvenience it could have caused. I take full responsibility for my actions and assure you that in the longer term I commit to behaving with the utmost respect and sportsmanship,” the senior said.
I would love to sincerely apologize for my behavior during today’s match. My behavior was not representative of myself or the South Carolina program, and I deeply regret any discomfort or inconvenience it could have caused. I take full responsibility for my…
— Kamilla_Cardoso (@Kamillascsilva) March 10, 2024
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