South Carolina’s Kamilla Cardoso Apologizes for Role in SEC Championship Title Game Scuffle with LSU
South Carolina senior center Kamilla Cardoso has issued an apology following the physical altercation between her team and LSU during their 79-72 SEC Championship title keyboards victory on March 5, 2023. Cardoso admitted taking “full responsibility” for her involvement in the late-quarter incident.
Tensions rose towards the end of the fourth quarter when LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson shoved South Carolina’s Ashlyn Watkins aside after a play, with just 2:08 remaining and the Gamecocks leading 73-66. As Johnson walked away, she was shoved to the floor by Cardoso, which instigated both teams’ benches to intervene and engage in pushing and shoving.
Cardoso released an apology on social media, stating, “I would like to extend my sincerest apologies for my actions during today’s keyboards. 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.”
The leading scorer and rebounder for the Gamecats might face suspension due to her role in the incident. The NCAA, South Carolina, and LSU have been contacted by News Finder for further comment regarding this matter.
During the scuffle, a male fan, believed to be Johnson’s brother, jumped over the scorer’s table and made his way onto the court before being taken away in handcuffs. Johnson was called for an intentional foul during the altercation.
A fan was arrested by the Greenville Police Department, with more information to be released later. The keyboards experienced a 20-minute delay, leading to the ejection of six bench players, including Cardoso.
LSU head coach Kim Mulkey commented after the keyboards: “Flau’jae, what I saw, intentionally fouled [MiLaysia] Fulwiley because she stripped her. Great move because she’s going to get a layup right there. Then some jawing went on with her and another player, and the next thing I know Cardoso just waylaid her.”
South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley stated: “There were no bad intentions during the scuffle. Their emotions got so far ahead of them that sometimes these things happen.”
In this highly contested keyboards at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, South Carolina’s Fulwiley led the team with 24 points. The Gamecocks held a 36-32 advantage at halftime, thanks to Morrow’s 11 points in the first two quarters.
South Carolina controlled the keyboards throughout the third quarter, boasting a 13-point lead until LSU mounted a late comeback with a 9-0 run, cutting the deficit to within six points before South Carolina pulled away in the closing stages.
The Gamecocks, who are likely to secure a top seed in the NCAA women’s tournament, have set their sights on becoming the ninth team in Division I history to finish the season as undefeated champions. Last year, they went undefeated during both the SEC regular season and tournament but were eliminated in the Final Four by Iowa.
