The SEC Women’s Basketball Championship was already expected to be a heated battle between the rival South Carolina Gamecocks and LSU Tigers, but things went too far during Sunday’s game.
Shamcocks center Camila Cardoso and Tigers guard Fraujai Johnson got into a skirmish in the fourth quarter after Milesia Fulwilli stole the ball from Johnson and was later called for a foul.
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South Carolina’s Camila Cardoso and LSU’s Angel Reese compete for the ball during the first half of the Southeastern Conference women’s tournament finals on March 10, 2024 in Greenville, South Carolina. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
With the clock stopped, Johnson shoved South Carolina’s Ashlyn Watkins after the sophomore forward started celebrating in her face.
Cardoso came over and pushed Johnson to the floor, and a shoving between the players began as the coaches began to separate the players. At least one person came across the scorer’s table onto the court and attempted to join in the commotion before being removed by security.
The incident caused a 19-minute delay in the game in which the undefeated Gamecocks led 73-66.
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LSU’s Frauge Johnson, 4, and Mikayla Williams celebrate after Aaliyah Del Rosario was fouled by South Carolina during the second quarter on March 10, 2024 in Greenville, South Carolina. 12 years old). (Ekin Howard/Getty Images)
Cardoso, South Carolina’s semifinal hero, was ejected from the game. Both benches were also ejected from the game. The game ended with 5-on-5 basketball.
Cardoso will likely have to miss the University of South Carolina’s NCAA Tournament opener after being ejected for a fight.
University of South Carolina coach Dawn Staley apologized to the basketball community.
“You know, when you play in a championship game like this in our league, things get heated,” she told ESPN after the game. “There is no malicious intent. Sometimes things like this happen because their emotions get ahead of them. We would like to apologize for contributing to that.”
Camila Cardoso of the University of South Carolina blocks a layup attempt by Haley Van Lith of LSU during the second quarter on March 10, 2024 in Greenville, South Carolina. (Ekin Howard/Getty Images)
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South Carolina won the game 79-72. This is the Shamcocks’ eighth SEC Tournament Championship win in the past 10 seasons. Fulwilly led the team with 24 points.
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