The Southland Conference has finished its review of the brawl that broke out following the men’s basketball game between Texas A&M-Commmerce and Incarnate Word earlier this week.
The conference is immediately suspending four players from each side for “flagrant unsportsmanlike actions.”
A&M-Commerce players Jerome Brewer Jr., Ant Abraham, and Kwo Agwa are each suspended for the next three games, while Prince Davies gets a one-game ban. The Lions have four games remaining, so all players will return this season.
Incarnate Word will be without point guard Elijah Davis for three games, and guard Alex Anderson, center Gabe Beny Til, and forward Marcus Glover for two. The Cardinals have five games remaining, and Anderson, the team’s second-leading scorer, is the most notable inclusion.
The scuffle broke out from an altercation in the handshake line after Commerce’s 76-72 overtime win on Monday in San Antonio. It quickly escalated as a shoving match turned into a melee, and players had to be restrained while punches were thrown, leaving some injured.
The conference and the universities condemned the players’ behavior and agreed to cooperate and sort out the ensuing disciplinary actions.
“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. Unfortunately, these expectations were not met on Monday night, and the Southland Conference will not tolerate any unsportsmanlike behavior,” a statement from Southland Commissioner Chris Grant reads in the official announcement. “I would like to extend our appreciation to A&M-Commerce Athletics Director Jim Curry and UIW Athletics Director Richard Duran for their unwavering partnership and diligent resolution of this matter.”