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Tensions boiled over during a second-round game in the Sun Belt Conference women’s basketball tournament between South Alabama and Coastal Carolina.
A fight broke out with just over five minutes left in the fourth quarter and a referee was inadvertently knocked to the ground. The official remained on the field in visible discomfort for several moments while medical personnel rendered assistance.
The game’s other official called a double technical foul, leading to eight ejections, most of them coming from the South Alabama lineup.
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The Sun Belt logo at midfield during a game between Arkansas Little Rock and South Alabama at Lakefront Arena in New Orleans on March 12, 2015. (Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
South Alabama’s Amyah Sutton, Daniela Gonzalez, Saneea Bevley, Terren Coffil, Princess Okafor Nweze and Jeriyah Baines were reportedly among the Jaguars ejected, while Coastal Carolina’s Tracey Hueston was also ejected.
The altercation began after Hueston of Coastal Carolina and Cordasia Harris of South Alabama exchanged words in the paint. The situation escalated when Hueston appeared to throw a punch toward Harris, prompting coaches and players from both teams to rush onto the field.
“Well, first of all, our program, we never want to be put in that situation. And we never want to act like that. So, we don’t condone what happened today. It’s a very unfortunate situation for two talented basketball teams that played in Pensacola in the tournament,” South Alabama coach Yolisha Jackson told reporters after the game.
A ball goes through the net during an SEC women’s basketball tournament game between LSU and Texas on March 8, 2025, at Bon Relief Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC (John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“With young people, emotions run high sometimes, and as they go through their growth and maturity process, sometimes things happen. But we always try to take it as a lesson learned and make sure that next time, if we’re put in a similar situation, we react a little differently. And so that’s what we’ll be talking about at the hotel tonight.”
Coastal Carolina coach Kevin Pederson described the situation as “unfortunate,” adding, “I know Tracey Hueston regrets it. She’s an incredible model citizen off the field, and she knows she can’t act that way. It was extremely frustrating for everyone, certainly something we don’t approve of in this program.
PK Press Club Digital reached out to the Sun Belt Conference for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
The Sun Belt Conference logo during a game between Arkansas Little Rock and South Alabama at Lakefront Arena in New Orleans on March 12, 2015. (Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
South Alabama won Wednesday’s game 80-70, advancing to the third round for a matchup against Texas State.
The ejected players could face a one-match suspension, but their status for Thursday remains uncertain.
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