In a clash of titans that had fans on the edge of their seats, the No. 1 South Carolina Gamecocks secured a hard-fought victory against the No. 2 seed LSU Tigers, emerging as the champions of the SEC Tournament.
Cardoso vs. Reese took center stage
The showdown, which took place at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, showcased the sheer determination and grit of both teams, with South Carolina extending their undefeated record to 32-0 and clinching their eighth league tournament title under the guidance of coach Dawn Staley.
Throughout the championship game, all eyes were on the intense matchup between Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese. Standing at 6-foot-7 and 6-foot-3 respectively, these women’s basketball stars engaged in a relentless battle in the paint, trading blows and pushing each other to the limit.
Living for this Angel Reese/Kamilla Cardoso matchup! 😮💨
🎥: @BalaPattySZN pic.twitter.com/xmMim1fqN0
— I talk hoops 🏀 (@trendyhoopstars) March 10, 2024
From the start, it was clear that neither player was backing down. Reese, determined to make her presence felt despite being outsized, engaged in a fiery exchange with Cardoso early in the first quarter. Despite the physicality of the matchup, Cardoso welcomed Reese’s challenge with a determined resolve.
As the game progressed, tensions began to escalate on the court. What began as a passionate duel quickly turned ugly, with both players engaging in physical altercations. Reese, in a moment of heated intensity, yanked Cardoso’s hair while battling for position under the basket.
Despite Cardoso’s plea, no foul was assessed on the play. However, the contentious exchanges did not end there. Cardoso, in a retaliatory move, pushed back at Reese, leading to a whistle from the officials. The situation reached a boiling point when Reese threw an elbow that struck Cardoso in the face, resulting in an intentional flagrant foul after a review by the referees.
LSU and South Carolina players got into a scuffle in the fourth quarter of the SEC Championship. pic.twitter.com/rXw1tb1jWM
— ESPN (@espn) March 10, 2024
Players ejected during the fourth quarter
The intensity of the matchup reached its peak towards the end of the game when an altercation erupted between both teams. The incident, which involved players and even a fan jumping onto the court, led to ejections and a lengthy delay in the game.
According to the ESPN broadcast, the individual who jumped on the court was Flau’jae Johnson’s brother, who was removed from the premises in handcuffs. Cardoso, who was ejected from the game due to her involvement in the brawl, will be sidelined for the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. Despite the chaos, South Carolina managed to maintain their composure and secure the victory, showcasing their resilience and determination.
