Kamilla Cardoso suspension, explained: Why South Carolina star is out first game of March Madness

South Carolina women's basketball will be without one of its star players on Friday as it begins its chase for its second NCAA national championship title in three years

Kamilla Cardoso, whose buzzer-beater 3-pointer saved the Gamecocks' undefeated season in the semifinal round of the SEC Tournament, will miss the first game of the 2024 NCAA Women's Tournament as she serves a one-game suspension.

She will miss the Gamecocks' opening-round game vs. Presbyterian after she was ejected on a fighting penalty in the SEC championship game against LSU, and will be eligible to return on Sunday in the second round (assuming South Carolina wins its first-round game).

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Cardoso's absence is a significant loss for the Gamecocks, as she leads the team in scoring with 14.0 points per game. South Carolina will have to fill her loss of production with MiLaysia Fulwiley, Te-Hina Paopao, Ashlyn Watkins and Bree Hall.

FOLLOW THE MADNESS: NCAA tournament brackets, scores, schedules, teams and more.

Cardoso's suspension did not come from South Carolina or the SEC. Because she was ejected from the SEC championship game against LSU for a fighting penalty, NCAA rules resulted in her automatic suspension for the next game.

With that, here's everything you need to know about her suspension from South Carolina's first NCAA women's tournament game:

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Why was Kamilla Cardoso suspended?

Cardoso is ineligible for Friday's first round game in the NCAA Tournament for her involvement in the benches-clearing fight in the fourth quarter of the SEC women's basketball championship game vs. LSU on March 10.

The incident began when Fulwiley stole the ball at half-court from LSU guard Flau'jae Johnson. Cardoso, who had been going at it all afternoon with LSU star forward Angel Reese, then pushed Johnson down to the ground after Johnson shoved Watkins, who was heading towards the Gamecocks bench after the play was called dead. Cardoso was one of several South Carolina and LSU players ejected from the game for their part in the incident, but the only one who was tabbed with a fighting penalty leading to her suspension.

Here's a video of the half-court scuffle between South Carolina and LSU:

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Kamilla Cardoso comments on suspension

Late Sunday night following the game, Cardoso went to X (formerly known as Twitter) offering her apologies for her actions.

"I would like to extend my sincerest apologies for my actions during today’s game. 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," Cardoso wrote on social media after the game. "I take full responsibility for my actions and assure you that I am committed to conducting myself with the utmost respect and sportsmanship in the future."

South Carolina women's basketball March Madness schedule

Dawn Staley's squad once again has national championship expectations heading into the NCAA Women's Tournament. The Gamecock, who are a perfect 32-0 on the season, are currently the favorites on BetMGM, with odds at -120, to hoist the national championship trophy.

As if winning a national championship is hard enough, the Gamecocks are looking to make history while doing so. If South Carolina wins the national championship, it will become the 10th team in NCAA Division I women's basketball history — and the first team since UConn in 2016 — to go undefeated for an entire season.

But first things first: a matchup against Presbyterian. If the Gamecocks win on Friday, they will take on the winner between 8 seed North Carolina vs. 9 seed Michigan State.

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