South Carolina Wins SEC Tournament Despite Ejections And Drama

South Carolina guard Te-Hina Paopao is the lone player on the bench after players were ejected after an altercation during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against LSU at the Southea

South Carolina's victory over No. 8 LSU in the Southeastern Conference Tournament was marred by a fourth-quarter fight that led to the ejection of South Carolina's leading scorer and rebounder, Kamilla Cardoso. Despite the incident, South Carolina emerged victorious with a 79-72 win, securing their eighth tournament crown in the past 10 seasons.

The game took a dramatic turn with just over two minutes left when Cardoso shoved an opponent after an intentional foul, triggering a scuffle that resulted in multiple ejections. The Gamecocks' MiLaysia Fulwiley, named the tournament's MVP, delivered a stellar performance with a career-high 24 points.

Following the game, South Carolina players expressed mixed emotions as several teammates were unable to join the postgame celebration due to ejections. Coach Dawn Staley acknowledged the competitive nature of the game but emphasized the need for better emotional control in heated moments.

Cardoso ejected in fourth-quarter fight against LSU.

South Carolina wins 8th SEC crown in 10 seasons.

MiLaysia Fulwiley named tournament MVP with 24 points.

Coach Staley emphasizes emotional control post-game.

South Carolina enters NCAA Tournament as No. 1 seed.

LSU's Angel Reese leads strong fight against Gamecocks.

Aneesah Morrow and Bree Hall deliver standout performances.

South Carolina remains undefeated in Division I.

Teams prepare for NCAA Tournament after intense matchup.

Exciting postseason ahead for women's college basketball.

Despite the altercation, South Carolina remains the only undefeated team in Division I, entering the NCAA Tournament as the clear No. 1 seed. The team's dominance was evident as they secured their 16th consecutive win over LSU, including all four meetings since Kim Mulkey became the Tigers' coach three seasons ago.

LSU, led by Angel Reese, put up a strong fight, but ultimately fell short against the Gamecocks. Reese, determined to make a mark in March Madness, expressed confidence in her team's capabilities moving forward.

The tournament saw standout performances from players like Aneesah Morrow and Bree Hall, contributing to the intense matchup between the two powerhouse teams. South Carolina's Fulwiley, a dynamic freshman, stole the show with her exceptional play throughout the tournament.

Looking ahead, both teams are expected to regroup and refocus as they prepare for the upcoming NCAA Tournament. South Carolina's resilience and LSU's determination set the stage for what promises to be an exciting postseason for women's college basketball.

For more updates on women's college basketball, stay tuned to AP Top 25 basketball coverage.