South Carolina's Kamilla Cardoso apologizes for role in fight with LSU in SEC championship

GREENVILLE, S.C. − South Carolina women's basketball star Kamilla Cardoso issued a public apology for her role in the fight with LSU that broke out during the SEC Tournament championship on Sunday.

The altercation started with only two minutes left in the No. 1 Gamecocks' 79-71 victory against the No. 2 seeded Tigers at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. South Carolina guard MiLaysia Fulwiley stole the ball from Flau'jae Johnson, who fouled Fulwiley after. Gamecocks forward Ashlyn Watkins ran up to Johnson after the play, yelling at Johnson, who then shoved Watkins.

When Cardoso saw Johnson shove Watkins, the 6-foot-7 senior center ran over and shoved Johnson to the ground. The benches cleared, and eventually Cardoso was ejected for physical fighting, which will disqualify her from playing in South Carolina's NCAA Tournament first-round game.

After the game, Cardoso posted an apology on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"I would like to extend my sincerest apologies for my actions during today’s game," Cardoso wrote. "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. 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."

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The benches were also ejected from the game and Johnson was issued an intentional foul. South Carolina played the last two minutes of the 79-72 win with six players and LSU played with five players. All the USC players that got ejected were not allowed to rejoin the team for the trophy ceremony and net cutting. Senior guard Te-Hina Paopao said the players who finished the game went back to the locker room to celebrate with the whole team.

Cardoso had eight points and six rebounds before getting ejected. She has been crucial for the Gamecocks this season and in the tournament, hitting a buzzer-beater 3-pointer to beat Tennessee in the semifinals.