Texas A&M Commerce, Incarnate Word Suspend Eight Players Stemming From On-Court Rampage
Suspensions are pouring in following an all-time Presidents Day brawl in men's college basketball between Texas A&M-Commerce and Incarnate Word.
It was not a typical scrap as both sides unleashed carnage: clashing with punches and full-on wrestling which led to one fan's injuries at Alice P. McDermott Convocation Center.
A total of eight players between A&M-Commerce and UIW were suspended Wednesday — four players from the Lions and Cardinals teams, respectively.
Tensions escalated at the handshake line following the 76-72 overtime win by Commerce. The thrilling game derailed once players threw punches and grabbed their opponents, hoping to hurl them around the court and into the stands.
The ESPN broadcast watched in awe as a coach had his face ‘bloodied,’ and a female fan's injury.
A joint statement from the teams denounced the men's basketball teams' actions from Monday, then taking swift action with their suspensions to reinforce safety not just for players and personnel but for fans.
"UIW and Texas A&M University-Commerce apologize for the behavior exhibited by our respective men’s basketball programs following the game on Monday night," the schools said in a joint statement after the fight," the schools shared.
"The unsportsmanlike conduct that occurred after the game does not reflect the values of the universities involved, as well as the Southland Conference and their member institutions."
On Wednesday, A&M-Commerce suspended forwards Jerome Brewer, Jr. and Kwo Agwa, as well as guards Ant Abraham Prince Davies.
Davis is suspended for one game, while the rest of the players face a three-game suspension.
Incarnate Word also announced suspensions for guard Alex Anderson, point guard Elijah Davis, forward Marcus Glover and center Gabe Beny Til.
Davis received a three-game suspension, while Anderson, Glover and Til received two-game suspensions.
The presiding Southland Conference acknowledged the poor display from the teams in a statement. Commissioner Chris Grant issued his response.
"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," Grant said.
He added, "Unfortunately, these expectations were not met on Monday night, and the Southland Conference will not tolerate any unsportsmanlike behavior."
Incarnate Word plays McNeese State on Saturday. Former LSU head coach Will Wade, now leading McNeese's Cowboys, shared his thoughts on the brawl and connected the situation to his own past.
"I don’t comment on situations I don’t have all the information on," Wade reacted. "Whatever happened, happened. There are people who have a lot more information on it than me. I have had people talk about me and they didn’t have all the information on me so I’m not going to comment on people I don’t have all the information on."
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