During the Southeastern Conference Tournament championship game, South Carolina forward Kamilla Cardoso and four other players were ejected, leaving the Gamecocks with only six remaining on the court.

The incident occurred when Cardoso pushed LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson to the floor after a heated exchange late in the fourth quarter. Johnson had been involved in a scuffle with Gamecocks guard MiLaysia Fulwiley, resulting in intentional fouls and subsequent ejections. As tensions escalated, Johnson’s brother briefly entered the court, but was swiftly removed by police officers.

Despite the chaos, South Carolina managed to hold on for a 79-72 victory. Reflecting on the incident, Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley apologized to the crowd, attributing the ejections to heightened emotions.

“I know it didn’t come from an ugly place,” Staley said.

With just over two minutes remaining and the Gamecocks holding a 73-66 lead, the altercation erupted, leading to a 15-minute delay as officials reviewed footage of the incident. South Carolina’s standout player, Kamilla Cardoso, who contributed significantly to their success, may face consequences during the NCAA Tournament for her involvement. Despite the potential repercussions, Cardoso showcased her versatility and clutch performance by sinking a game-winning 3-pointer in the semifinals against Tennessee. Against LSU, she tallied eight points, six rebounds, and three blocks in 22 minutes of play.