- The teams each had three wins at the bottom of the conference before Monday
- A young girl in the audience and a team manager were both hit during the brawl
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A huge postgame brawl broke out after Texas A&M-Commerce defeated University of the Incarnate Word 76-72 on Monday.
The brawl took place during the post-match handshakes, when several players began throwing punches at each other. Members of both teams joined the wild mosh pit near center court before chaos spread across the floor.
Several staff members tried to separate the players and get them into the locker rooms. However, the players’ lack of control led to staffers and a spectator being injured, as mentioned by the broadcast team.
An analyst who called the game said a “young girl” in the crowd was injured during the brawl. They also mentioned that a team manager had ‘blood on his face’.
The Southland Conference addressed the incident in a statement shortly afterwards.
A huge brawl broke out Monday between Texas A&M-Commerce and Incarnate Word
The brawl broke out during post-match handshakes after the Lions secured a narrow 76-72 victory
“We will work closely with both universities to review the images and take appropriate disciplinary action,” the statement said. “Unsportsmanlike conduct is unacceptable in the Southland Conference and the safety of our student-athletes, spectators and officials remains a top priority.”
The two teams involved are at the bottom of the conference and enter Monday’s game with just three wins each. The Lions also defeated the Cardinals 71-66 in their previous meeting.
After their game in January, Texas A&M Commerce head coach Jaret von Rosenberg described the competition on his post-game radio show as a “dogfight.”
The scuffle occurred just days after another brawl broke out between the Southern Mississippi and Arkansas State women’s basketball teams on Thursday.
The brawl resulted in several players and staff falling to the ground before five players were sent off. The game would resume with the Lady Eagles winning 57-48.