Brawl Erupts at Sun Belt Women's Basketball Tournament

Eight players ejected, referee injured in altercation between South Alabama and Coastal Carolina

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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A women's basketball game between South Alabama and Coastal Carolina descended into a brawl on Wednesday in Pensacola, Florida, during the Sun Belt Conference tournament. The incident resulted in eight player ejections and medical attention for a referee who was inadvertently struck and fell to the floor.

Why it matters

Incidents of violence and unsportsmanlike conduct in collegiate sports raise concerns about player discipline, sportsmanship, and the safety of officials. The differing perspectives from the two universities highlight the complexities involved in addressing such situations and balancing the needs of student-athletes with maintaining order and integrity in the game.

The details

The altercation began with 5:39 remaining in the fourth quarter when Coastal Carolina's Tracey Hueston and South Alabama's Cordasia Harris became involved in a physical confrontation near the basket. Hueston reportedly turned and swung at Harris after an initial contact, prompting others to attempt to intervene. During the altercation, Hueston inadvertently struck referee Marla Gearhar with a forearm, causing her to fall to the floor. Gearhar was evaluated by medical personnel and released.

  • The incident occurred on Wednesday, March 6, 2026 during the Sun Belt Conference women's basketball tournament in Pensacola, Florida.
  • The altercation began with 5:39 remaining in the fourth quarter of the game between South Alabama and Coastal Carolina.

The players

Tracey Hueston

A forward for the Coastal Carolina women's basketball team who was involved in the initial altercation and has been suspended for the remainder of the postseason.

Cordasia Harris

A player for the South Alabama women's basketball team who was involved in the initial altercation with Hueston and has been suspended for one game.

Marla Gearhar

The referee who was inadvertently struck and fell to the floor during the brawl, requiring medical attention.

Kevin Pederson

The head coach of the Coastal Carolina women's basketball team, who expressed regret over Hueston's involvement in the incident.

Joel Erdmann

The athletic director of South Alabama, who called the incident "extremely unfortunate and unacceptable" but disagreed with the suspensions of some of his players.

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What they’re saying

“I know Tracey Hueston regrets that.”

— Kevin Pederson, Coastal Carolina Head Coach (newsy-today.com)

“Extremely frustrating.”

— Kevin Pederson, Coastal Carolina Head Coach (newsy-today.com)

“Extremely unfortunate and unacceptable.”

— Joel Erdmann, South Alabama Athletic Director (newsy-today.com)

What’s next

The Sun Belt Conference has issued suspensions for the players involved, with Coastal Carolina's Tracey Hueston suspended for the remainder of the postseason and South Alabama's Cordasia Harris, Amyah Sutton, and Daniela Gonzalez each receiving one-game suspensions. The teams will continue their tournament runs, but the suspensions will impact their rosters and preparations.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of maintaining sportsmanship and discipline in collegiate sports, where the actions of players can have significant consequences for their teams and the integrity of the game. The differing perspectives from the two universities underscore the complexities involved in addressing such situations and the need for clear guidelines and consistent enforcement to promote a safe and respectful environment for players, officials, and fans.