A Huge Fight Broke Out At A Women’s NCAA Basketball Game Over The Weekend

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The SEC Women’s Tournament championship basketball game—which saw the Louisiana State University Tigers take on the University of South Carolina Gamecocks—dissolved into chaos Sunday after a fight broke out late in the fourth quarter.

After one player knocked another to the ground, players from both teams ran onto the court before everyone was separated by coaches. The tussle resulted in several players being ejected, with South Carolina ultimately winning the game 79-72.

In the aftermath, there’s been a lot of chatter about what happened and whose fault it was. Here’s what you need to know about what happened.

The fight occurred in the final two minutes of play.

Just before the fight broke out, South Carolina’s MiLaysia Fulwiley stole the ball from Louisiana State University’s Flau’jae Johnson and was called for an intentional foul, per ESPN.

On the way to the bench, Johnson bumped into South Carolina’s Ashlyn Watkins. Then, South Carolina center Kamilla Cardoso pushed Johnson to the ground.

Players from both teams rushed onto the court, and six were ejected, including Kamilla and her teammates Chloe Kitts, Tessa Johnson, and Sakima Walker. LSU’s Aalyah Del Rosario and Janae Kent were also ejected, leaving LSU with only five players.

But the players weren't the only ones involved. Flau’jae's brother Trayron Milton also leapt from the stands and briefly made contact with Kamilla. He was arrested and charged with assault and battery, and disorderly conduct, per ESPN.

The game ultimately restarted after a 20-minute delay, with South Carolina taking home the win.

Angel Reese was not involved.

Star LSU player Angel Reese didn't get into the scuffle, and can be seen catching her breath by the bench as things unfolded.

Angel later explained her reaction on X, former known as Twitter.

“As a person at my STATUS, sometimes you have to walk away from certain situations," she wrote. "Mind you the play before that I had rolled my ankle AGAIN and was already walking to the bench. I ALWAYS ride for mine. I’m super proud of this team & super excited for march. #geauxtigers 💜💛"

LSU coach Kim Mulkey has received some backlash for her reaction to the fight.

Both coaches later spoke out about what happened, with South Carolina’s coach Dawn Staley apologizing to the basketball community. But LSU’s coach Kim Mulkey is catching some heat for her remarks after she said that she "wish[ed]" Kamilla, who is 6'7", had pushed Angel instead of Flau’jae. (Angel, who is 6'3", stands taller than Flau’jae, who is 5'10".)

"It's ugly, it's not good, no one wants to be a part of that,” she said after the game, per ESPN. “But I'll tell you this, I wish [Kamilla Cardoso] would've pushed Angel Reese. If you're 6'8", don't push somebody that little. That was uncalled for in my opinion. Let those two girls who were jawing, let them go at it."

Since her comments, Kim has received pushback from Deadspin, who called her remarks "trashy." Former NFL star Shannon Sharpe also told Kim she's "got to be better," per Fox.

LSU and South Carolina won’t play again until March Madness.

The women’s tournament for March Madness starts on March 20 and runs through the national championship game, which will happen on April 7, according to the NCAA’s website. Neither LSU nor South Carolina have games scheduled until then.

But the fight will have lasting effects for South Carolina's Gamecocks—Kamilla, who was disqualified for fighting, will be forced to miss the team's March Madness opener, according to The Athletic. Per the outlet, the NCAA rulebook mandates that a player who participates in a fight for the first time will be suspended for “the team’s next regular-season game...including tournament competition."

Kamilla has since apologized for her involvement in the fight. "I would like to extend my sincerest apologies for my actions during today’s game," she wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. "My behavior was not representative of who I am as a person or the South Carolina program, and I deeply regret any discomfort or inconvenience it may have caused."

Nevertheless, the team is looking forward to a potential rematch.

“I won’t be surprised if we’re able, both of us, to represent in Cleveland for the national championship game,” Dawn said. “I welcome that.”

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