The rivalry between SEC foes LSU and South Carolina reached new heights when a feud broke out in Sunday’s conference championship game.Gamecocks center Kamilla Cardoso has been suspended for the first game of the NCAA Tournament after multiple players were ejected, the SEC confirmed Competitor on Monday.
Wondering what happened between these two national title contenders and how it might affect their March Madness trips? Here’s a rundown of Sunday’s scrimmage and what it could mean going forward:
What is the history like?
In a tight contest between the national title contenders in late January, South Carolina came back from trailing by five at halftime to win 76-70, raising the stakes for their eventual playoff meeting. The two teams then faced off in the semifinals, heading into the final game of the conference tournament. South Carolina narrowly beats Tennessee on Kamilla Cardoso’s first career 3-pointer, and LSU players say they’re pulling for teammates Last-Tear Poa, who left the game on a stretcher with an injury during Saturday’s Tigers game, was in the title game. The fourth quarter was jarring.
What happened on Sunday?
Before the exchange late in the game, the players sparred with each other, and intense contact that was called (and not called) boiled over to the point where a scuffle broke out.
LSU star Angel Reese and Cardozo went back and forth all game, with Reese pulling Cardozo’s hair with 5:15 left in the second quarter, and then Cardozo at about 4:34 Pushed Rhys. A second later, Reese was called for an intentional foul for elbowing Cardoso in the face. Cardoso also ran into foul trouble and was on the bench after scoring her third three-pointer early in the third quarter.
With just over two minutes left in the game, LSU guard Frauja Johnson tugged at South Carolina player Milecia Fulwili’s jersey, slowing her progress as she dribbled the ball. A melee broke out. Johnson then met South Carolina’s Ashlyn Watkins. Cardozo rushed over and pushed Johnson to the ground.
Players from LSU and South Carolina got into a scuffle in the fourth quarter of the SEC Championship game. pic.twitter.com/rXw1tb1jWM
— ESPN (@espn) March 10, 2024
The players ran to midfield and the bench was mostly cleared before the coaches separated their teams. A fan, whom ESPN’s broadcast described as Johnson’s brother, left the stands and jumped over the scorer’s table, remaining briefly on the field before police escorted him off the field.
Johnson’s brother, Trayron Milton, was arrested on charges of disorderly conduct, assault and battery. Milton was booked into the Greenville County Jail.
deeper
Pickman: South Carolina’s scrimmage with LSU marred a great women’s basketball weekend. “We have to fix it”
Who was evicted? Why?
After a delay of about 20 minutes, the referee determined that Johnson had committed an intentional foul and Cardozo was ejected. They also ejected every player on each team’s bench who left their respective bench areas, with the exception of South Carolina’s Sania Feagin, who did not leave the Gamecocks’ bench area, and Te-Hina Paopao, who had subbed into the scorer’s table. tower. game. Feigin replaced Cardozo on the floor after he was ejected.
Why was Cardoso suspended?
She was suspended because she was ejected for fighting, which is covered by NCAA rules. Other ejected players were ejected from the game for leaving the bench area. The players were not suspended as they were not disqualified for the brawl.
Will her absence affect South Carolina’s bid for the NCAA tournament?
not necessarily. Although Cardozo will miss the first game of the tournament, the Gamecocks will still be the top seed at Selection Sunday and will face a strong No. 16 seed. Over the past five games, South Carolina has won its first opener by an average of 29.8 points.
Watkins is averaging 9.7 points and 7.1 rebounds per game and will likely fill Cardozo’s absence.
What did the players and coaches say after the game?
Reese said she had never been in a match like Sunday’s championship match, but she described the fight as a battle between “two heavyweights.”
LSU coach Kim Mulkey said Cardozo’s shove of Johnson was “unnecessary” and cited their height difference. Cardozo is 6 feet 7 inches tall and Johnson is 5 feet 10 inches tall.
“It’s ugly. It’s not good. No one wants to be a part of that. No one wants to see that ugliness. But I can tell you this: I hope she pushes Angel Reese. Don’t push kids – (you) height 6-foot-8. Don’t put that little pressure on someone,” Mulkey said. “Let those two chattering girls, let them be.”
South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said she took responsibility for what happened to the Gamecocks, adding that Johnson approached her after the game.
“After the game, Flau’jae came to me and she just apologized and said she wasn’t that type of player. I really appreciated it. If I hadn’t said it, people would never have heard it. But she wasn’t. . She’s such a good person. Things just escalated,” Staley said.
Cardozo expressed her apology on X (formerly Twitter).
“My actions do not represent myself or the South Carolina program, and I deeply regret any discomfort or inconvenience this may have caused. I take full responsibility for my actions and assure everyone that I am committed to Conduct yourself with the utmost respect and sportsmanship going forward.”
I offer my sincerest apologies for my behavior during today’s game. My actions do not represent me personally or the South Carolina program, and I deeply regret any discomfort or inconvenience this may have caused.I take full responsibility for my…
— Camilla_Cardozo (@Kamillascsilva) March 10, 2024
Must read
(Photo: Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
