Scuffle turns up intensity of Missouri-South Carolina women's rivalry
Missouri and South Carolina's women's basketball teams, separated by two spots in the rankings, do not like each other. That dislike almost crossed into outright brawling Sunday.
The teams engaged in a shoving match in the second quarter of their SEC game in Columbia, S.C. It started when two players tangled on the floor after a tie-up. Missouri star Sophie Cunningham came to the aid of her prone teammate — and tried to clean house a bit. That earned her a shove and a flick to the face by Doniyah Cliney, and then another bump, in response.
Judge for yourself pic.twitter.com/aQgMvXRoso
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) January 28, 2018
Missouri had two players ejected for leaving the bench. No one from South Carolina was ejected. Cunningham, one of the SEC's top players, became a bigger enemy in the eyes of Gamecocks fans.
I have no respect for that team and especially Sophie Cunningham. I would cheer for Clemson against them. So glad the good guys won tonight!
— Lezlie Patterson (@USCHockeymom) January 29, 2018
@
gamecockWBB @
dawnstaley
3 things Sophie Cunningham will never have:1)class 2)A National Championship 3)a spot on the USA 🇺🇸 Olympic team @_ajawilson22 will have all 3
— Genie Fogle (@uscelf) January 29, 2018
No. 9 South Carolina beat No. 11 Missouri 64-54. The victory avenged Mizzou's victory over the Gamecocks on Jan. 7 in Columbia, Mo. South Carolina players thought Cunningham and the Tigers were more physical than usual, and perhaps even dirty, that night. With their anger sufficiently stoked, a scuffle Sunday could have been predicted.
"They watched the film from last game. They just don't want to go into a game unprotected," South Carolina coach Dawn Staley told reporters, per The State newspaper.
The teams are on track to get another crack at each other in the SEC Tournament in Nashville, Tenn
