Shocking moment women’s basketball game descends into a brawl as players FIGHT over loose ball before game is paused and two players are sent off
- A women’s basketball game took a turn when players from Michigan and Maryland started a scuffle on the court, causing the game to be stopped
- The incident occurred during Wednesday night’s game at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor with less than four minutes remaining in the third quarter
- Michigan’s Lauren Hansen and Maryland’s Bri McDaniel clashed over a loose ball, ultimately leading to both players being ejected
A women’s basketball game turned into a blowout on the court, forcing the game to be stopped.
The Michigan Wolverines took on the visitors Maryland Terrapins at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Wednesday night as players from both teams appeared to fight for the ball.
Game footage from above and on the court showed Michigan’s Lauren Hansen and Maryland’s Bri McDaniel each grabbing a loose ball and then trying to wrestle for it with less than four minutes left in the third quarter.
Despite the referee’s whistle, the players continued to struggle, with the situation quickly spiraling out of control.
A women’s basketball game took a turn when players from Michigan and Maryland started a scuffle on the court, causing the game to be stopped
The incident occurred during Wednesday night’s game at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor with less than four minutes remaining in the third quarter
Slow motion analysis of the footage appears to show the Michigan player winning the battle for the ball, but the Maryland player appears to be off balance and her arm is stuck in the grip.
While trying to pull her arm free, the Maryland player pushes the Michigan player back in her head and shoulder area with her free hand.
The Michigan player responds to a push by dropping the ball and attempting a left jab, but she missed.
During the punch attempt, the Maryland player’s arm is freed. She then pushes the Maryland player back.
Just as the Maryland player was about to throw a right jab, she pulled away and was stopped by the referee.
The pair were fighting over a loose ball as they tried to grab it
The fight quickly escalated as the players began pushing each other
Maryland’s Bri McDaniel is seen on the ground trying to grab the ball from Michigan’s Lauren Hansen
For a moment, both players could be seen on the ground struggling for the ball
There was then a final subtle punch from the Michigan player to her Maryland counterpart.
It then resulted in a shoving match with both players caught up in the moment as tensions suddenly escalated.
Both received technical fouls and the pair were both sent off.
Members of both teams attempted to pull the pair apart, with the referee seen taking McDaniel to the sideline
Michigan then defeated Maryland 79-77 in overtime.
Maryland coach Brenda Frese said she was surprised the dust didn’t put more pressure on her team.
“I thought (the expulsion) would motivate us,” Frese said. “But it didn’t really bring us together in any way. I thought Michigan was just a lot more inspired (after the ejections).”