Key Points:
- Eight players ejected after a late-game altercation between Coastal Carolina and South Alabama.
- Referee injured during the melee but was cleared after medical attention.
- Suspensions handed down: Coastal Carolina’s Tracey Hueston for the remainder of the postseason; South Alabama players received one-game bans.
Scuffle Erupts Late in Game
A dramatic and chaotic scene unfolded Wednesday in Pensacola, Florida, during the second round of the Sun Belt Conference women’s basketball tournament, when a heated confrontation between the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers and the South Alabama Jaguars boiled over into a full‑blown brawl. With just over five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, tempers flared under the basket, escalating into physical altercations involving players from both sides.
Referee Knocked to the Floor
The clash intensified so quickly that officials, teammates and coaching staff rushed in to break it up. In the chaos, veteran referee Marla Gearhart was knocked to the court as she tried to separate the players, briefly lying on her back as medical and team personnel tended to her. Fortunately, she was examined by medical staff at the arena and cleared to leave, though the incident raised serious concerns about on‑court safety.
Multiple Ejections and Suspensions Follow
In the aftermath, a total of eight players were expelled from the game for their involvement in the confrontation. At the center of the incident were Coastal Carolina’s Tracey Hueston and South Alabama’s Cordasia Harris, who both received double technical fouls before being ejected. They were joined by additional participants from the South Alabama roster who came onto the court during the fray.
The Sun Belt Conference later handed down suspensions tied to the melee. Hueston was suspended for the remainder of the 2026 postseason, while Harris and two of her South Alabama teammates received one‑game bans as part of disciplinary measures.
Coaches and Administrators Respond
Both programs condemned the incident in post‑game remarks. Coastal Carolina coach Kevin Pederson expressed disappointment and said Hueston regretted her role in the fight, emphasizing that such conduct does not reflect the team’s values. South Alabama coach Yolisha Jackson also decried the situation, while the school’s athletic director bluntly stated that fights have no place in collegiate sports. Despite those comments, he argued that some of the suspensions were excessive and adversely affected his players’ opportunities in the postseason.
Game Outcome and Next Steps
Despite the disruption, South Alabama maintained its lead and finished the game with an 80–70 victory, advancing in the Sun Belt tournament. The Jaguars will face Texas State in their next matchup, though they may be missing key players due to the recent disciplinary actions.
