FRISCO, Texas — Four players from Texas A&M-Commerce and four from Incarnate Word were suspended by the Southland Conference for “flagrant unsportsmanlike actions” when a brawl broke out during postgame handshakes after an overtime game.
It was still unclear what led to the melee after Commerce’s 76-72 road victory Monday night. Video showed players from both teams caught up in a lengthy scuffle that spread over much of the court. Several punches were thrown and personnel from both teams tried to get players under control.
The Full Incarnate Word vs Texas A&M-Commerce postgame FIGHT. Probably the worst we’ve seen this year pic.twitter.com/9P6rkHu6z9
— NCAA Buzzer Beaters & Game Winners (@NCAABuzzerBters) February 20, 2024
Commerce forward Jerome Brewer, Jr., guard Ant Abraham, and forward Kwo Agwa were suspended for three games each, while guard Prince Davies got a one-game suspension. Incarnate Word point guard Elijah Davis got a three-game suspension, and guard Alex Anderson, center Gabe Beny Til, and forward Marcus Glover will each miss two games.
“The Southland Conference Board of Directors has set clear expectations for sportsmanship and behavior of our student-athletes, coaches, and spectators during and after competitions. Unfortunately, these expectations were not met on Monday night, and the Southland Conference will not tolerate any unsportsmanlike behavior,” Commissioner Chris Grant said.
Grant also thanked the athletic directors from both schools “for their unwavering partnership and diligent resolution of this matter.”
The suspensions immediately went into effect.
Incarnate Word has five games remaining in the regular season, and A&M-Commerce has four.
