Women’s college basketbrawl mars contest

South Carolina remains unbeaten, besting LSU 79-72, USC also wins

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What started out as a high-profile women’s college basketball game ended in an embarrassing situation for the University of South Carolina Gamecocks and the Louisiana State University Lady Tigers.

South Carolina entered the game with a 31-0 record, including an earlier season win over LSU. By the time the game ended, 11 players were ejected in an on-the-floor incident that was seen all over America.

South Carolina won the game by a final score of 79-72, completing its second straight undefeated regular season—a feat only accomplished by a few college basketball programs. But that achievement was lost in the aftermath of the on-court fight that caused a 15-minute stoppage of play.

This high-intensity contest went over the edge at the 2:08 mark of the fourth quarter — with South Carolina leading 73-66 — when LSU guard Flau’jae Johnson intentionally fouled South Carolina Guard MiLaysia Fulwiley to prevent a breakaway layup. Johnson took another shot at South Carolina’s Ashlyn Watkins as she headed to her bench.

Kamilla Cardoso PHOTO: CHRIS GILLESPIE

That prompted 6-foot-7 South Carolina forward Kamilla Cardoso to step into the fray, pushing Johnson to the floor and raising the incident to melee status. Players from both teams ran onto the floor and exchanged words and blows.

Flau’jae Johnson’s brother jumped over the scorer’s table and briefly contacted Cardoso. He had to be restrained and was later arrested for his participation.

By the game’s end, LSU had only five players to finish the contest. Following her team’s 79-72 triumph, South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley quickly apologized for her team’s part in the on-court incident.

“I want to apologize to the basketball community for us playing a part. That’s not who we are. That’s not what we’re about,” Staley said.

Kim Mulkey, LSU coach PHOTO: JONATHAN MAILHES

LSU coach Kim Mulkey fanned the flames of discontent with her post-game comments, stating: “It’s ugly, it’s not good, no one wants to be a part of that. But I’ll tell you this: I wish Cordoso had pushed Angel Reese. Don’t push somebody that little if you’re 6-[foot]-8.” Cordoso is listed as 6’7” and Johnson as 5’10,” while Reese is listed as 6’3.”

And while the Gamecocks relish their 8th SEC Tournament title and their second straight undefeated regular season, it is time to condemn the behavior of the South Carolina and LSU players as well as their coaches.

The players’ out-of-control behavior reflects their coaches. Dawn Staley and Kim Mulkey must accept responsibility for how their players conduct themselves during games. Despite the scripted apologies from Cordoso and her coach, the fact remains that the two were in the middle of the fray, with coach Staley offering a somewhat standard apology afterward.

Dawn Staley, South Carolina coach PHOTO: CHRIS GILLESPIE

Mulkey should be reprimanded for her inflammatory post-game comments, which could be interpreted as a threat. Mulkey should remember that Reese played very physically against Cordoso, pulling her hair and striking her in the face during the game. Cordoso is expected to receive a one-game suspension for her ejection, meaning she will miss South Carolina’s opening round of the NCAA postseason tournament competition.

The NCAA should take strong steps to control what happens on the court should these two teams meet in tournament play.

Elsewhere on the national women’s college basketball scene, Southern Cal closed the Pac-12 Conference with a 74-61 triumph over second-ranked Stanford in the final Pac-12 tournament championship game.

Harvard transfer McKenzie Forbes led the Trojans with 26 points and got strong support from Rayah Marshall (10 points, 18 rebounds) and Penn State transfer Kayla Padilla (13 points). Their efforts offset a 2-for-15 shooting performance by freshman sensation JuJu Watkins, who scored just 9 points. Cameron Brink led the Stanford Cardinal with 19.

In the Big Ten, Caitlin Clark scored 30 of her game-high 34 points after halftime of her Iowa team’s 94-89 comeback win over Nebraska. It’s the third straight Big Ten Women’s basketball title for the Hawkeyes of Iowa, ranked third in the national polls.

Meanwhile, on the local high school scene, Charlestown, Jeremiah Burke and New Mission High Schools have advanced to the final four of the boys’ basketball tournament.

Charlestown whipped Newburyport, 87-72; Jeremiah Burke trounced Monument Mountain 90-60; and New Mission turned back Douglas High School 65-54.

The three local high schools continue their march to state titles in their respective divisions.