Current:Home > reviewsSouth Carolina’s Kamilla Cardoso shoves LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson, is ejected with 5 other players -Core Financial Strategies
South Carolina’s Kamilla Cardoso shoves LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson, is ejected with 5 other players
View
Date:2025-04-14 23:45:42
GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina forward Kamilla Cardoso was one of six players ejected from the Southeastern Conference Tournament championship game after she shoved LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson to the floor late in the fourth quarter Sunday.
Gamecocks guard MiLaysia Fulwiley had stolen the ball from Johnson, who wrapped her up and was called for an intentional foul. Johnson bumped South Carolina’s Ashlyn Watkins while heading to her bench, and then the 6-foot-7 Cardoso rushed in and pushed the 5-10 Johnson to the ground.
In all, four South Carolina players were ejected and the Gamecocks had six remaining. LSU was left with only its starting five players after two reserves were disqualified. The Gamecocks held on to win 79-72.
“For us playing a part in that, that’s not who we are,” South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said. “That’s not what we’re about.”
A man identified on the ESPN telecast as Johnson’s brother jumped over the scorer’s table onto the court and briefly made contact with Cardoso before being escorted away by police officers.
The SEC, against the usual practice at its postseason tournaments, closed both locker rooms to reporters.
LSU coach Kim Mulkey said Johnson was smart to stop Fulwiley, who would’ve had an uncontested layup otherwise. Mulkey added that understood emotions getting high at such a critical juncture of the game.
“It’s ugly, it’s not good, no one wants to be a part of that,” she said. “But I’ll tell you this, I wish (Cardoso) would’ve pushed Angel Reese. If you’re 6-8, don’t push somebody that little. That was uncalled for in my opinion. Let those two girls who were jawing, let them go at it.”
Staley, who was screaming towards the LSU bench during the incident, apologized afterward to the crowd on behalf of the ejected players, saying their emotions got the better of them.
“I know it didn’t come from an ugly place,” Staley said.
The Gamecocks led 73-66 with 2:08 to play when the dustup took place, and the game was delayed for about 15 minutes while officials reviewed video of the incident.
Cardoso, South Carolina’s leading scorer and rebounder, can expect to miss time during the NCAA Tournament. She hit the game-winning 3-pointer, her first as a college player, with 1.1 seconds to play on Saturday in South Carolina’s 74-73 semifinals win over Tennessee.
Cardoso had eight points, six rebounds and three blocks in 22 minutes against LSU.
___
Get poll alerts and updates on AP Top 25 basketball throughout the season. Sign up here.
___
AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball
veryGood! (29)
Related
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Alaska Tribes Petition to Preserve Tongass National Forest Roadless Protections
- Biden says he's not big on abortion because of Catholic faith, but Roe got it right
- Pregnant Claire Holt Shares Glowing Update on Baby No. 3
- Federal hiring is about to get the Trump treatment
- Federal judge blocks Kentucky's ban on gender-affirming care for trans minors
- Stimulus Bill Is Laden With Climate Provisions, Including a Phasedown of Chemical Super-Pollutants
- Britney Spears Shares Mother-Son Pic Ahead of Kids' Potential Move to Hawaii With Kevin Federline
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Don’t Miss This Chance To Get 3 It Cosmetics Mascaras for the Price of 1
Ranking
- How to watch new prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin': Premiere date, cast, streaming
- Airline passengers are using hacker fares to get cheap tickets
- Federal judge blocks Kentucky's ban on gender-affirming care for trans minors
- Puerto Rico’s Solar Future Takes Shape at Children’s Hospital, with Tesla Batteries
- Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer
- Biden touts economic record in Chicago speech, hoping to convince skeptical public
- Iran memo not among the 31 records underlying charges in Trump federal indictment
- Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth says financial assistance is being sent to wholesalers, beer distributors impacted by boycott backlash
Recommendation
Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
California man sentenced to more than 6 years in cow manure Ponzi scheme
RHOC's Shannon Beador Has a Surprise Reunion With Ex-Husband David Beador
This Flattering Amazon Swimsuit Coverup With 3,300+ 5-Star Reviews Will Be Your Go-to All Summer Long
This was the average Social Security benefit in 2004, and here's what it is now
Microscopic Louis Vuitton knockoff bag narrow enough to pass through the eye of a needle sells for more than $63,000
Angela Bassett and Mel Brooks to receive honorary Oscars
Kate Middleton Is Pretty in Pink at Jordan's Royal Wedding With Prince William