Ugly brawl breaks out at end of Southland game

• Myron Medcalf, ESPN

  • Staff WriterFeb 19, 2024, 11:11 PM ET Close Covers college basketball
  • Joined ESPN.com in 2011
  • Graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato

A huge brawl broke out following Texas A&M-Commerce’s 76-72 win at Incarnate Word on Monday as the teams began shaking hands.It’s uncertain what triggered the fight in the handshake line, however it included numerous players from both squads tossing punches at one another. Coaches and players from each group tried to separate the brawling players, however the fracas continued for more than a minute as members of the two programs scuffled across the court.There were numerous players on the flooring and multiple pileups as the fight continued. Broadcast experts said a”young girl “in the crowd was harmed as a result of the row which one of the team’s managers had “blood on his face,” though there was no immediate information from authorities or the schools on injuries.In a joint declaration later on Monday, Incarnate Word and A&M-Commerce released apologies”for the habits displayed by our particular males’s basketball programs. “”There is no location in college sports for such actions,”the statement read. “The unsportsmanlike conduct that occurred after the game does not show the worths of the universities involved, along with the Southland Conference and their member organizations. The matter is presently being examined jointly by the Conference workplace and both institutions as the security of our student-athletes, personnel, and fans is our main concern. “Editor’s Picks The Southland Conference also provided a brief declaration attending to the melee, stating it understands the” end-of-game situation that took place.””

We will be working closely with both universities to review the video footage and problem appropriate disciplinary action, “the Southland said in its statement.”Unsportsmanlike behavior is undesirable in the Southland Conference and the security of our student-athletes, viewers, and authorities remains a leading priority.”The groups are at the bottom of the conference standings, with each entering Monday’s contest with three league wins.Texas A&M-Commerce also won the very first matchup in between the teams. Lions coach Jaret von Rosenberg called the very first outing”a dogfight”on his postgame radio show.