LSU guard Flau'jae Johnson's brother escorted off in handcuffs following confrontation with South Carolina's Kamilla Cardoso

Tensions boiled over in an ugly way between South Carolina and LSU in the SEC Championship on Sunday. The game was halted for over 15 minutes after a scuffle broke out late in the heated battle.

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, South Carolina leading scorer 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.

Tempers flare in the SEC Championship between South Carolina and LSU
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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.

The rumble resulted in Johnson receiving an intentional foul and Cardoso being ejected with a fighting penalty. All other players on both teams, except SC’s Saniah Fegin, were ejected from the game for vacating their benches. SC’s Te-Hina Paopao was also not ejected because she was at the score table when the scuffle occurred.

After all of the penalties were handed out, LSU only had five players available and South Carolina had six players available. Cardoso will also not be available for South Carolina in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Early signs in the LSU-South Carolina rivalry

The fourth quarter wasn’t the first time things got physical in the game. In the second quarter, LSU standout Angel Reese was forced to exit the game after committing an intentional foul on Cardoso. It was Reese’s second foul. She remained on the bench for the final five minutes of the first half.

Other fans pointed out Reese may have gotten away with another unnecessary foul earlier in the game. Before leaving the game in the second quarter, Reese visibly pulled Cardoso’s hair. It’s not clear if it was on purpose.

Ironically, LSU head coach Kim Mulkey claimed the game wasn’t physical after the first quarter in a sideline interview with ESPN.

“Come on now,” Mulkey responded. “I don’t think it’s been physical this tournament. What do you want me to say?”

Obviously, things quickly took a turn. South Carolina ultimately walked away with a 79-72 victory and its second-straight SEC Tournament Championship.