The SEC Tournament final ended in turmoil as a scuffle erupted between the LSU Tigers and South Carolina Gamecocks with just over two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
At the 2:08 mark, LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson made contact with Ashtyn Watkins after a deliberate foul. This led to South Carolina’s Kamilla Cardoso rushing in and causing Johnson to fall to the floor.
Following the game, LSU’s Kim Mulkey commented on the altercation, offering a bold perspective.
“No one wants to be a part of that. No one wants to see that ugliness,” said Mulkey. “But I can tell you this; I wish she would’ve pushed Angel Reese. Don’t push a kid—you’re 6’8”—don’t push somebody that little. That was uncalled-for in my opinion.”
These remarks differed in tone from those of South Carolina’s Dawn Staley, who addressed the incident during an on-court interview following the Gamecocks’ victory, securing their eighth SEC tournament win and capping off a perfect 32–0 season.
“In our league, things get heated. No bad intentions. Their emotions got so far ahead of them, that sometimes these things happen. I want to apologize for playing a part in that. That’s not who we are and that’s not what we’re about,” said Staley.
As a consequence of the altercation, only the five players from each team on the court at the time were allowed to finish the game, as both benches were ejected. Furthermore, Cardoso will face a suspension for the Gamecocks’ first NCAA tournament game.