A women’s Sun Belt Conference tournament game between South Alabama and Coastal Carolina on March 4, 2026, was disrupted by a brawl that led to the ejection of eight players and a referee requiring medical attention. The incident occurred late in the fourth quarter, overshadowing South Alabama’s 80-70 victory.
Details of the Incident
With less than six minutes remaining in the game, South Alabama’s Cordasia Harris and Coastal Carolina’s Tracey Hueston engaged in a physical altercation under the basket. Harris appeared to bump Hueston from behind, prompting Hueston to turn and initiate physical contact. The confrontation escalated as both players exchanged pushes and swings.
Efforts to separate the players involved multiple referees, teammates, and staff members. During the melee, referee Marla Gearhar was struck in the head or neck area, reportedly by Hueston, and fell to the floor. Gearhar remained on her back as medical personnel attended to her. She was evaluated at the Pensacola Bay Center and subsequently released.
Immediate Consequences
Both Harris and Hueston received technical fouls and were ejected from the game. Additionally, six other players who participated in the altercation were ejected. The ejected players included:
- South Alabama: Cordasia Harris, Daniela Gonzalez, Terren Coffil, Saneea Bevley, Princess Okafor Nweze, Jeriyah Baines, Amyah Sutton
- Coastal Carolina: Tracey Hueston
Despite the disruptions, South Alabama secured an 80-70 win and advanced to the next round of the tournament.
Disciplinary Actions
Following the game, the Sun Belt Conference announced suspensions for the involved players. Coastal Carolina’s Tracey Hueston was suspended for the remainder of the 2026 postseason. South Alabama’s Cordasia Harris, Amyah Sutton, and Daniela Gonzalez each received a one-game suspension.
South Alabama Athletic Director Joel Erdmann expressed disagreement with the suspensions, stating:
“After an extensive internal review, I do not believe the actions of all three of our student-athletes rose to the level of being classified as fighting as defined by the NCAA rule book. This judgment has negatively impacted the tournament experience of our suspended student-athletes and stripped them of limited opportunities to compete in the postseason.”
Reactions from Coastal Carolina
Coastal Carolina Athletic Director Chance Miller issued an apology, expressing disappointment in the actions of the women’s basketball program.
Head Coach Kevin Pederson addressed the incident, stating: “We regret the actions that took place during today’s Sun Belt Conference Tournament game. In no way does what occurred reflect the core values or day-to-day mission of the women’s basketball program, as we hold our student-athletes to the highest standards both on and off the court. The actions today don’t reflect those standards, and we plan to address that quickly.”
Impact on Tournament Play
The suspensions left South Alabama shorthanded for their subsequent tournament game against Texas State. The absence of key players posed challenges for the team’s performance and strategy moving forward.
Broader Implications
This incident highlights the importance of maintaining sportsmanship and discipline in collegiate athletics. The involvement of a referee injury underscores the potential dangers of on-court altercations. The Sun Belt Conference and participating institutions may review policies and training to prevent future incidents.
What This Means for Women’s College Basketball
The brawl between South Alabama and Coastal Carolina serves as a reminder of the need for strict adherence to sportsmanship and conduct standards in college basketball. Such incidents can tarnish the reputation of programs and affect player eligibility and team performance. Moving forward, teams and conferences are likely to implement measures to reinforce appropriate behavior and ensure the safety of all participants on the court.
March Madness Odds
Betting on College basketball lines and odds are available with offshore college sportsbooks. While many states have passed domestic sportsbook services, offshore sites typically have better lines and aren’t geofenced, meaning that you can travel anywhere in the USA and place your wagers as the action unfolds.
Below are the current futures from Bovada’s online sportsbook for the women’s NCAAB March Madness tournament.
2026 NCAA DI Women’s Basketball Tournament – National Champion
- Connecticut (W)-300
- UCLA (W)+650
- South Carolina (W)+800
- Texas (W)+1300
- LSU (W)+1500
- Vanderbilt (W)+2800
- Duke (W)+7500
- Michigan (W)+7500
- Oklahoma (W)+7500
- TCU (W)+7500
- Iowa (W)+10000
- Iowa State (W)+10000
- Kentucky (W)+10000
- Louisville (W)+10000