A massive fight broke out following the Southland Conference game between Incarnate Word and Texas A&M-Commerce on Monday evening, with punches being thrown from players on both sides.
Following the Lions’ 76–72 overtime win, the two sides met at center court to shake hands when things took a turn for the worst. A brawl flared up between the teams, and punches were exchanged among a large scrum of players.
It took a long time for things to de-escalate, with coaches from both schools attempting to separate their skirmishing players.
The commentators on the ESPN broadcast looked on in dismay as the fight dragged on for more than a full minute, with one commentator noting that a team manager appeared to have been bloodied up amid the mayhem.
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
Another announcer added that a young fan appeared to get caught up in the altercation.
"Someone in the crowd was hurt and hit. It looks like young a girl...” said the commentator.
There will likely be punishments handed down by the NCAA as a result of Monday night’s violent brawl, which caused quite a stir on social media. The college basketball world was in disbelief at the scenes in San Antonio, and fans had plenty of reaction to the melee on X.
Total mayhem … https://t.co/vSbjY3aQ8E
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) February 20, 2024
We should have been done with mandatory handshake lines YEARS ago. https://t.co/vaBJSDCOXT
— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) February 20, 2024
No more handshake lines. https://t.co/rHGaUJZy3L
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) February 20, 2024
I’m crying at ESPN not cutting the feed, production was having a time watching the tussle https://t.co/OMlNb9dNDv
— taraji p henchmen (@theeluvvbelow) February 20, 2024
This should result in a number of suspensions and maybe the end of some seasons. https://t.co/ud8JcDHofM
— Brian (@sportsmatters) February 20, 2024
The handshake line needs to be discontinued permanently after this. https://t.co/IJ3sQJ6hnU
— Jerrod Baker (@JerrodBaker1) February 20, 2024