The 2024 SEC national championship for women’s basketball on March 10 should have been an exciting affair for everyone involved.
The No. 1-seeded South Carolina Gamecocks faced off against the No. 2 Louisiana State University Tigers, which counts rising stars Angel Reese and Flau’jae Johnson among its ranks, for college basketball’s biggest title.
But what should have been an exhilarating match-up descended into chaos by the end of the night.
It all happened toward the end of the game after South Carolina’s MiLaysia Fulwiley stole the ball from LSU’s Johnson with just two minutes left.
Johnson grabbed her in response and was issued an intentional foul.
On her way back to the bench, Johnson bumped into South Carolina’s Ashlyn Watkins, prompting Watkins’ teammate Kamilla Cardoso to step in and shove Johnson to the ground.
Tension began to escalate on the court and both teams jumped up from the bench to get involved, with many trying to hold their teammates back from fighting any further.
After the dust settled, Cardoso was ejected from the game, along with five other players who left the bench area in the heated moment:
South Carolina’s Chloe Kitts, Tessa Johnson, and Sakima Walker, and LSU’s Aalyah Del Rosario and Janae Kent.
Angel Reese wasn’t involved in the tussle, but the 21-year-old star took to social media to address the incident.
“As a person at my status, sometimes you have to walk away from certain situations.
Mind you the play before that I had rolled my ankle again and was already walking to the bench,” she explained.
“I always ride for mine. I’m super proud of this team and super excited for March.
As a person at my STATUS, sometimes you have to walk away from certain situations. 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 💜💛
— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel)
March 11, 2024
Cardoso, for her part, regretted everything that happened.
“I would like to extend my sincerest apologies for my actions during today’s game,” she said online.
“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,” she continued.
“I take full responsibility for my actions and assure you that I am committed to conducting myself with the utmost respect and sportsmanship in the future.”
I would like to extend my sincerest apologies for my actions during today’s game. 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. I take full responsibility for my…
— Kamilla_Cardoso (@Kamillascsilva) March 10, 2024
In the end, South Carolina came out on top, beating LSU 79-72. According to ESPN, it’s possible that Cardoso will be suspended from the Gamecocks’ opening game in the team’s March Madness NCAA tournament opener.
