Eight players were ejected from a second round game in the Sun Belt Women’s Basketball Tournament in Pensacola, Florida, on Wednesday afternoon after a fight broke out between No. 9 Coastal Carolina and No. 12 South Alabama.
South Alabama led by nine points with about 5:39 remaining in the fourth quarter when a scuffle ensued between Cordasia Harris of South Alabama and Tracey Hueston of Coastal Carolina. Coaches and players from the benches spilled out onto the floor and one referee was caught in the crossfire, hitting the floor after taking a hit from a player.
After deliberating for several minutes, the referees assessed double technicals to Harris and Hueston and ejected them from the game. Officials also ejected six additional South Alabama players for leaving the bench and making contact with Coastal players. That group included Daniela Gonzalez, Amyah Sutton, Terren Coffil, Saneea Bevley, Princess Okafor Nweze and Jeriyah Baines.
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Gonzalez and Sutton had both started the game and had combined for 25 points, eight assists and five rebounds at the time of their ejections. Still, a depleted South Alabama was able to hang on for a 80-70 win.
It’s unclear if the players ejected will be suspended for South Alabama’s next game on Thursday against No. 8 Texas State at 11:30 a.m. ET. If so, Harris, Sutton and Gonzalez would be big losses for the Jaguars as they are the three top scorers on the team this season. Harris also leads the team in rebounding.
USA Today Sports has reached out to a Sun Belt Conference spokesperson for comment.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 8 players ejected after Sun Belt women’s basketball tournament fight
