Kamilla Cardoso returns as South Carolina advances to Sweet 16
Kamilla Cardoso, South Carolina’s best player, was back and in the starting lineup for the top-seeded Gamecocks’ second-round game against North Carolina.
On Sunday, she led the starters with 12 points and 10 rebounds in South Carolina's dominating 88-41 win. Dawn Staley’s squad will face the winner between No. 4 Indiana and No. 5 Oklahoma in the Sweet 16.
Cardoso missed South Carolina’s first-round game after being ejected for fighting near the end of the SEC Conference tournament championship against LSU. That carried an automatic one-game suspension.
Cardoso’s absence didn’t hurt the Gamecocks, who rolled over Presbyterian 91-39 in the first round.
OPINION:Kamilla Cardoso embarrasses South Carolina but sting will be fleeting
What did Kamilla Cardoso do to get suspended?
During the SEC Tournament championship game, a near-brawl interrupted the fourth quarter for 20 minutes.
LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson attempted to stop MiLaysia Fulwiley’s late steal. South Carolina’s Kamilla Cardoso came in retaliation and pushed Johnson to the ground. Johnson's teammate Hailey Van Lith rushed up and confronted Cardoso and there was more scuffling. Multiple players from both sides were ejected. Cardoso's ejection meant she had to sit out the first round of the NCAA Tournament for fighting.
Kamilla Cardoso apologizes for her role in scuffle
Hours after the game, Kamilla Cardoso took to social media to apologize for her role in the scuffle.
She wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: "I would like to extend my sincerest apologies for my actions during today’s game. My behavior was not representative of who I am as a person or the South Carolina program, and I deeply regret any discomfort or inconvenience it may have caused. I take full responsibility for my actions and assure you that I am committed to conducting myself with the utmost respect and sportsmanship in the future."
LSU coach Kim Mulkey defends guard Flau'jae Johnson, admonishes South Carolina's Kamilla Cardoso
LSU coach Kim Mulkey said Flau'jae Johnson made a smart play when she intentionally fouled MiLaysia Fulwiley in the closing minutes – a move that led to a near-brawl and multiple ejections. Mulkey said Fulwiley would have had an uncontested layup that would have expanded the Gamecocks' lead in the close game.
Mulkey added that she understood emotions getting high at such a critical juncture of the game, but she was unhappy that South Carolina center Kamilla Cardoso went after the smaller Johnson.
"It's ugly, it's not good, no one wants to be a part of that," Mulkey said. "But I'll tell you this, I wish [Cardoso] would've pushed (6-foot-3) Angel Reese. If you're 6-8 (6-7), don't push somebody that little. That was uncalled for in my opinion. Let those two girls who were jawing, let them go at it."
South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said Johnson apologized to her directly after the game. "I respect her. She's a good person," Staley said.
South Carolina coach Dawn Staley apologizes for near-brawl after winning SEC Tournament
After winning her eighth SEC tournament title, South Carolina coach Dawn Staley seemed subdued.“I just want to apologize to the basketball community,” Staley told ESPN sideline reporter Brooke Weisbrod. “When you’re playing championship games like this and things get heated, (there are) no bad intentions. Their emotions got so far ahead of them that sometimes these things happen.
“I want to apologize for us playing a part in that. That’s not who we are, that’s not what we’re about. I’m happy for the players that were able to finish the game and get us another championship.”
Asked how she would address the near-fight that broke out and caused a 20-minute delay, Staley said, “We’re going to talk about it. We’ve always talked about it. Never leave the bench. Never get too high with the highs or low with the lows. It’s hard when you’re playing. I played this game a long time and I can’t tell you I was a saint at all times. Your emotions get the best of you. It’s unfortunate that the players that got ejected can’t be a part of the (postgame) celebration.”