SEC levies fine for South Carolina court storming after Kentucky upset

South Carolina will be picking up a $100,000 tab from the SEC after fans stormed the court following an upset win over Kentucky in men’s basketball on Tuesday, the league announced. Though it’s probably a fine the Gamecocks can stomach after the big-time win.

Under new SEC policies instated in 2023, schools are being held responsible for fans storming the field or court after a win, with the first fine coming at a $100,000 price tag. And after a 17-point win over a Top 10 team, the fans at Colonial Life Arena weren’t worried about what the cost might be to their athletic department.

Because the game was a conference matchup, South Carolina will be paying the $100,000 to Kentucky and not the league.

The policy specifically states that “institutions shall limit access to competition areas to participating student-athletes, coaches, officials, support personnel and properly credentialed or authorized individuals at all times. For the safety of participants and spectators alike, at no time before, during or after a contest may spectators enter the competition area.”

This policy change was spurred on after a few high-profile field stormings resulted in conflicts between the fans pouring onto the field/court and athletes from the losing team coming off. After Alabama lost to Tennessee in 2022 in Knoxville, for instance, Crimson Tide wideout Jermaine Burton got in a physical altercation of sorts with a Tennessee fan.

There were no particular issues with the court storming on Tuesday in Columbia

Riding the energy and momentum a strong home crowd provided, the Gamecocks stormed out to an early first-half lead and then expanded it even further in the second half, turning it into a 79-62 rout of the Wildcats.

Fans stormed the court following the win.

“It’s awesome. I can’t wait to get back in the locker room with my guys,” Paris told SEC Network sideline reporter Alyssa Lang after the game. “This is a great moment for them. They’ve worked really hard. They’ve been committed to defense in a way that I’ve rarely seen, and I think you saw that tonight against a really talented offensive team, so I’m just proud of them.”

South Carolina blows out No. 6 Kentucky and students storm the court! 🏀 pic.twitter.com/LV5Z4nqgHL

— The Comeback (@thecomeback) January 24, 2024

The win had a little bit of everything, including several runs by South Carolina that stretched the margins. The team ended the first half on a 6-0 run. At the same time, Kentucky finished the half making just one of its final 10 field goal attempts.

That gave Paris’ side a 33-25 lead at the break.

Early in the second half the squad made highlight reels everywhere with a dunk that provided a ‘welcome to college basketball’ moment for much ballyhooed Kentucky big man Zvonimir Ivisic, who recently gained eligibility from the NCAA.

After Gamecocks guard Ta’lon Cooper dribbled under the rim early in the second half, he flipped a quick pass with his left hand inside to forward Collin Murray-Boyles in the paint. Murray-Boyles finished with power over Ivisic to extend South Carolina’s lead over Kentucky and provide a signature moment in the contest.

But it was the stretch in the early going just before halftime that really did the trick and put the Gamecocks ahead with some momentum.

“Great way to end the half,” Paris said. “A good energy boost going into halftime. I thought we did a good job. I thought our energy was great. We were very active on the defensive end. We defensive rebounded, which was very important against an athletic team like this.”