• A brawl during the Sun Belt women's basketball tournament injured a referee and led to eight ejections.
• Tracey Hueston of Coastal Carolina received a postseason suspension for her role in the brawl.
• South Alabama's Cordasia Harris and others were also suspended following the incident.
• The game continued after the altercation, with South Alabama winning 80-70.
• The conference is reviewing the incident for potential further disciplinary actions.

A troubling scene transpired during the Sun Belt Conference women's basketball tournament on Wednesday, as a brawl broke out between the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers and the South Alabama Jaguars. The altercation resulted in the injury of referee Marla Gearhar, who required medical attention after being inadvertently struck while breaking up the fight. The event, which occurred with less than six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, led to the ejection of eight players and raised serious questions about sportsmanship in the tournament, according to Indiatimes, CBS News, and Los Angeles Times.

The chaotic confrontation began when South Alabama's Cordasia Harris and Coastal Carolina's Tracey Hueston exchanged blows after a slight incident under the basket. Hueston swung at Harris, prompting both players and others to rush into the fray. Reports indicate that referee Gearhar was struck inadvertently in the process, resulting in her falling to the ground. Medical staff quickly attended to her on the court, and she was later released after evaluation, as noted by CBS News, and Los Angeles Times.

Ultimately, officials assessed the situation, leading to double technical fouls and eight total ejections from the game. Hueston and Harris were ejected, with Coastal Carolina's Hueston receiving a suspension for the remainder of the postseason. South Alabama players—including Harris—were also suspended for involvement in the fracas, raising serious coaching and administrative concerns from both programs, as highlighted by CBS News and Los Angeles Times.

Despite the turmoil, South Alabama managed to secure an 80-70 victory, propelling them to the next round of the tournament. However, both teams and their coaching staff expressed regret over the incident, emphasizing the need for better conduct on the court. Coastal Carolina's coach Kevin Pederson shared, “I know Tracey Hueston regrets that,” highlighting the disappointment felt by both programs, according to Indiatimes, CBS News, and Los Angeles Times.