GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) – South Carolina forward Kamilla Cardoso was one in all six players ejected from the Southeastern Conference Tournament championship game after she pushed LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson to the ground late within the fourth quarter on Sunday.
Gamecocks guard MiLaysia Fulwiley stole the ball from Johnson, who wrapped it up and was whistled for an intentional foul. Johnson hit South Carolina’s Ashlyn Watkins as she headed toward her bench, and then the 6-foot-7 Cardoso ran in, pushing the 5-10 Johnson to the bottom.
A complete of 4 South Carolina players were ejected, leaving the Gamecocks with six players remaining. LSU was left with only five players on its roster after two were disqualified. The top-ranked Gamecocks held on, defeating No. 8 LSU 79-72.
“That’s not who we are,” South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said. “That’s not what we’re about.”
Cardoso apologized on social media shortly after the match, and her remaining teammates celebrated the championship without her.
“My behavior was not representative of myself or the South Carolina program and I deeply regret any discomfort or inconvenience it may have caused,” Cardoso wrote on X. “I take full responsibility for my actions and assure you that I commit to the with the utmost respect and sportsmanship.”
After Cardoso shoved Johnson, a person identified on the ESPN telecast as Johnson’s brother jumped over the scorer’s table onto the sphere and briefly made contact with Cardoso before being escorted away by law enforcement officials.
Per NCAA rules, Cardoso can be suspended for the Gamecocks’ next game, in the primary round of the NCAA Tournament, because she was ejected for fighting. South Carolina (32-0), the one undefeated team in Division I, will definitely take first place within the tournament and will play the primary two rounds on its home field.
Cardoso, a Brazilian who averaged 14.2 points and 9.6 rebounds on the season, is anticipated to be a top pick in next month’s WNBA draft.
The SEC, contrary to its usual practice during postseason tournaments, closed each locker rooms to reporters. The others ejected – all for leaving the bench – were South Carolina’s Chloe Kitts, Tessa Johnson and Sakima Walker, and LSU’s Aalyah Del Rosario and Janae Kent. They can be eligible to play of their teams’ next games under NCAA rules because they weren’t involved within the fight.
LSU coach Kim Mulkey said Johnson was smart to maintain Fulwiley, who otherwise would have had an unchallenged lineup. Mulkey added that she understands how much emotion there’s at such a critical moment in the sport.
(*5*) she said. “But I’ll let you know, I wish (Cardoso) had pushed Angel Reese. If you’re 6-8 years old, don’t push anyone so little. In my opinion it was inappropriate. Let’s let the 2 girls who were barking deal with it.
LSU is the defending national champion, but has lost 16 straight games to SEC rival South Carolina and the title game was extremely close even before the upset.
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Staley, who shouted toward the LSU bench throughout the incident, later apologized to the gang on behalf of the ejected players, saying emotions got the higher of him.
“I know it didn’t come from an ugly place,” Staley said.
The Gamecocks were leading 73-66 with 2:08 left when the fumble occurred, and the sport was delayed for about quarter-hour as referees reviewed video.
Cardoso, South Carolina’s leading scorer and rebounder, made the game-winning 3-pointer with 1.1 seconds left, the primary of her college profession, in Saturday’s semifinal game through which South Carolina beat Tennessee 74-73.
Cardoso had eight points, six rebounds and three blocks in 22 minutes against LSU.
Staley said her young team – the Gamecocks lost seven seniors from a bunch that reached three previous Final Fours and won the national title in 2022 – is a tight-knit group that supports each other.
“Something like this would never have happened with last year’s team because they would have been very political about it,” Staley said. “Aliyah (Boston, WNBA Rookie of the Year) would probably be a referee and say, ‘No, don’t do it.’ And then you might have this team, it is the defenders.
Staley said it’s an admirable trait, but her team needs a reminder of when to back off before things get uncontrolled.
“I hope this is the last of the last,” Staley said.
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