Six players were ejected from the Southeastern Conference Tournament championship game after a physical altercation late in the fourth quarter. South Carolina forward Kamilla Cardoso was involved in an incident where she pushed LSU's Flau'jae Johnson to the floor. The altercation occurred after a foul was called on Johnson, leading to a series of confrontations between players from both teams.
As a result of the altercation, four South Carolina players and two LSU players were ejected from the game. Despite the ejections, the top-ranked Gamecocks managed to secure a 79-72 victory over No. 8 LSU to claim the championship.
South Carolina coach Dawn Staley expressed disappointment in the incident, stating that such behavior is not reflective of the team's values. Cardoso issued an apology on social media, acknowledging her actions and committing to upholding respect and sportsmanship in the future.
Following the altercation, Cardoso will face a suspension for the Gamecocks' next game in the NCAA Tournament due to her ejection for fighting. South Carolina, with a perfect 32-0 record, is expected to secure a top seed in the tournament.
Despite the intense nature of the game, coaches from both teams acknowledged the emotions involved but emphasized the need for restraint and sportsmanship. LSU coach Kim Mulkey commended Johnson for her actions on the court and expressed understanding of the heightened tensions during critical moments.
The incident, which led to a brief delay in the game, highlighted the physicality of the matchup between the two teams. Staley, while apologizing to the crowd on behalf of the ejected players, emphasized the need for her team to exercise better judgment in similar situations in the future.
Overall, the championship game was marked by intense competition and a display of emotions that escalated into a regrettable altercation. Both teams will now shift their focus to the upcoming NCAA Tournament, with lessons learned from the incident at the SEC championship game.
