LSU’s Angel Reese recently found herself in the spotlight after a heated altercation erupted during the SEC Women’s Tournament championship game between her teammates and South Carolina players. While Reese did not actively participate in the fight, which occurred in the fourth quarter of the Sunday game and led to the ejection of six players, including South Carolina’s Kamilla Cardoso, she took to X (formerly Twitter) to explain her decision to “walk away.”
“As a person at my STATUS, sometimes you have to walk away from certain situations,” Reese expressed, highlighting the complexity of her position. She also revealed that she was dealing with an injury at the time of the scuffle. “Mind you the play before that I had rolled my ankle AGAIN and was already walking to the bench,” she clarified. “I ALWAYS ride for mine. I’m super proud of this team & super excited for March. #geauxtigers.”
The incident erupted after South Carolina’s MiLaysia Fulwiley stole the ball from LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson, leading to an intentional foul call against Johnson. As Johnson made her way to the bench, she collided with South Carolina’s Ashlyn Watkins, prompting Cardoso to intervene, ultimately shoving Johnson to the ground.
Following the altercation, Cardoso issued a public apology on X, acknowledging her actions and expressing remorse. “My behavior was not representative of who I am as a person or the South Carolina program, and I deeply regret any discomfort or inconvenience it may have caused,” she wrote, pledging to uphold the values of respect and sportsmanship in the future.
Reflecting on the incident, LSU head coach Kim Mulkey criticized Cardoso’s involvement in the altercation, particularly her decision to push the significantly smaller Johnson. Mulkey emphasized the need for restraint and sportsmanship in such situations, condemning the unnecessary escalation of conflict.
In her response, South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley acknowledged the gravity of the situation and the importance of Cardoso’s role on the team. She stressed the need for Cardoso to manage her emotions better in high-pressure situations, recognizing her star player’s significance to both the team and the broader landscape of women’s basketball.
The aftermath of the scuffle saw repercussions for both teams, with Cardoso facing ejection and subsequent suspension from the NCAA tournament’s first round. Despite the unfortunate incident, both teams remain focused on their respective journeys, with South Carolina poised as the presumptive No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCAA tournament, while LSU looks to regroup and continue their pursuit of excellence on the court.