South Carolina and LSU are the two favorites to win the women’s basketball NCAA title this year, with the Gamecocks -115 to cut down the nets and the Tigers +550. The two teams squared off in the SEC Championship game Sunday in a potential title-game preview, but the end was marred by a fight between the two squads.
South Carolina led 73-66 with just over two minutes remaining when MiLaysia Fulwiley stole the ball from LSU’s Flau'jae Johnson. Fulwiley began rushing up the court when Johnson tugged her hard for a clear foul. Frustrated, Johnson bumped into a South Carolina player after the whistle, which the Gamecocks took exception to. The teams began pushing and shoving, including a hard hit by South Carolina’s Kamilla Cardoso that sent Johnson sprawling to the floor.
Cardoso was issued a fighting penalty, which is particularly costly for the Gamecocks. According to ESPN, she’ll be disqualified from South Carolina’s first game in the NCAA Tournament. It's been a crazy 24 hours for Cardoso, who hit her first-ever 3-pointer the night before in a buzzer beater that kept South Carolina undefeated on the season.
Meanwhile, ESPN’s broadcast also noted a fan jumped onto the court from the stands as the scuffle ensued. That fan turned out to be Johnson’s brother, who leaped over the barricade to come to his sister’s defense as the two teams were separated. He bumped into Cardoso as a police officer jumped onto the court to push him away.
Order was eventually restored and the teams played the final two minutes without further incidents. South Carolina came out on top with a 79-72 win, and the Gamecocks are now a perfect 32-0 on the season.
