Breaking down Women's SEC Tournament brawl between LSU, South Carolina

On Sunday, chaos consumed the SEC Tournament Championship game between South Carolina and LSU. With just over two minutes left in the fourth quarter, a nasty scuffle broke out, resulting in multiple ejections and LSU star Flau’Jae Johnson’s brother being escorted off the court in handcuffs.

South Carolina ultimately walked away with a 79-72 victory, but will not have leading scorer Kamilla Cardoso available in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. On Monday, On3’s Andy Staples weighed in on the heated scene in Greenville, SC.

“Now, remember these teams played last year,” Staples said. “South Carolina won in Columbia, but they did not play in the NCAA Tournament because South Carolina lost to Iowa. Then, LSU beat Iowa for the national title. So, this very well could be the national championship game.

“The South Carolina players really wanted to show against LSU, ‘Hey, we we are still the best team. We were the best team last year.’ It was a ‘styles make fights’ thing that got them beat against Iowa, and South Carolina and LSU went at it again.”

That’s an understatement. With just over two minutes left in the game, LSU guard Flau’Jae Johnson committed a foul during a fastbreak on South Carolina freshman MiLaysia Fulwiley. After the foul, South Carolina’s Ashlyn Watkins walked past Johnson clapping with a smile on her face.

Johnson took exception, pushing Watkins aside. In an act of retaliation, Kamilla Cardoso bolted toward Johnson, knocking her to the ground. The collision resulted in multiple players and staff members from both teams meeting at halfcourt.

Only adding to the chaos, Johnson’s brother hopped over the score table and onto the court, looking to defend his sister. He was swiftly put in handcuffs and escorted off the court. When the dust settled and ejections were handed out, LSU only had five players available and South Carolina had six.

Andy Staples weighs in on coaches’ reactions

After the game, LSU head coach Kim Mulkey fueled the flames, calling out Cardoso.

“I wish she would have pushed Angel Reese,” Mulkey said. “When you’re (6-foot-7), don’t push somebody that little.”

South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley took a different approach, apologizing for the incident and claiming fighting has no place in the game. Staples believes Staley has nothing to be sorry for.

“I don’t think she has to apologize to fans of women’s basketball and say this is not part of it. It’s part of basketball,” Staples said. “People get heated. It’s OK. Listen, this makes more people want to watch the NCAA tournament because I want to see these two teams play again.

“Is there a matchup in the men’s tournament that you are as excited about as either LSU-South Carolina, or South Carolina-Iowa, or an LSU-Iowa rematch? This is good for the game. Say what you will, fighting happens in sports. It’s just part of the game.”