The SEC Championship game between the South Carolina Gamecocks and LSU Tigers will have bigger consequences down the road for both teams. With just minutes to go in the game and with South Carolina leading, some pushing and shoving took place, almost leading to a brawl between the two teams.
The brother of LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson even came out of the stands to defend his sister, but officials and security were able to break up the fight before it got worse. Johnson’s bother was reportedly escorted out of the arena in handcuffs.
The game ended with both teams needing to play five-on-five as everyone else had been ejected for fighting or leaving the bench.
LSU and South Carolina with a scuffle in the SEC Championship that results in only five players remaining in the game for each team.
South Carolina's Kamilla Cardoso will be ineligible for the first game of the NCAA Tournament. pic.twitter.com/K8vzrkH1SM
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) March 10, 2024
South Carolina went on to win their eighth SEC Tournament Championship game, 79-73.
After the game, South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley apologized for her team’s part in the incident.
“I want to apologize to the basketball community for us playing a part in that, that’s not who we are,” she said. “Your emotions get the best of you.”
"I just want to apologize to the basketball community… When you're playing in championship games like this, in our league, things get heated. No bad intentions… I want to apologize for us playing a part in that… That's not who we are & not what we're about." – Dawn Staley https://t.co/tmSoTsRcOj pic.twitter.com/0LEDwcudKW
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 10, 2024
LSU head coach Kim Mulkey wasn’t as gracious in defeat as Staley saying, “I wish she would have pushed Angel Reese, you don’t push a girl who is that size when you’re 6’7.”
“I wish she would have pushed Angel Reese, you don’t push a girl who is that size when you’re 6’7.”- Kim Mulkey
We’re playing some good basketball right now. I love where we are right now. #LSU #SECTourney @LSUwbkb pic.twitter.com/6SdSmN73he
— Chessa Bouche (@chessabouche) March 10, 2024
Mulkey also says she doesn’t expect any LSU players to be ineligible for the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
The brawl may have several consequences for both teams but especially for South Carolina. Kamilla Cardoso, who hit the game-winning shot to send the Gamecocks to the SEC Championship game, was involved in the fight and was ejected. Because of that, she won’t be eligible for the first game of the NCAA Tournament.
This is the latest incident in a long-simmering rivalry. Last year, LSU knocked off the Gamecocks to end their win streak and make it to the NCAA Championship, where they defeated Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes.
There’s a decent chance LSU and South Carolina could meet again in the NCAA Tournament. Be ready.
