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.
The Sun Belt told USA Today Sports in a statement that the referee, Marla Gearhart, was evaluated by medical personnel at the Pensacola Bay Center and was released.
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.
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.
The Sun Belt said that in accordance with NCAA rules, Harris, Sutton and Gonzalez are all suspended for one game because they were deemed to have engaged in a fight. That means the trio, who are South Alabama’s top three scorers, are suspended for the Jaguars’ next game on Thursday against No. 8 Texas State at 11:30 a.m. ET.
Additionally, the Sun Belt has suspended Hueston for the remainder of the season. She is a fifth-year senior, so her college basketball career is over.