Benches Clear Between Florida and Kentucky During Women's SEC Tournament
By Liam McKeone
On Wednesday, Florida and Kentucky's women's basketball teams faced off in the first round of the 2023 SEC tournament. Things got spicy in the second half as both benches cleared following a basketball-throwing incident between Florida's Tatyana Wyche and Kentucky's Ajae Petty.
The aptly-named Petty had the ball after Kentucky scored and shoved the basketball into Wyche's face as she was running back up the court. It was the kind of subtle veteran move that probably would've gone uncalled because she did it while raising her arm, making it look like she was dropping the ball in an exaggerated motion. This led to Wyche hurling the basketball at the back of Petty's head. She missed, somehow, but that led to the benches clearing and a lost heel for Kentucky HC Kyra Elzy.
Eight players were ejected in the SEC women's tournament after a scuffle broke out during the Kentucky-Florida game.
— ESPN (@espn) March 1, 2023
The game was delayed over 20 minutes. pic.twitter.com/iXUgUzltgj
Here is a gif of the incident that sparked everything:
Wow. things getting heated in the SEC Tourney between the #Gators and #Kentucky. pic.twitter.com/bZt1gl7zLQ
— Cork Gaines, Ph.D. (@CorkGaines) March 1, 2023
And some videos of the aftermath from the journalists in attendance:
Things just got interesting. After Ajae Petty and Florida’s Tatyana Wyche got tangled up. Wyche charged Petty from behind. The scuffle ended up in UK’s bench with Kentucky assistant coach Jen Hoover getting knocked over. pic.twitter.com/SFcnzjRw4j
— Grant Grubbs (@grant_grubbs_) March 1, 2023
A fight just broke out at the #SECWBB tournament between @KentuckyWBB and @GatorsWBK players. More TK but all I know is that Kentucky HC Elzy did lose a sparkly heel in the process.
— Gabriella Lewis (she/her) (@_gabriellalewis) March 1, 2023
Vid of her tail end. Sorry it’s not great, had a senior moment fumbling w my phone. @TheNextHoops pic.twitter.com/37o105qlVH
Everybody loves some extracurriculars out on the court but this drew our attention because how does Wyche miss that throw? Absolutely brutal. Cannot miss if you go for the full windup like that.
Three Florida players, including Wyche, were ejcted. Petty only recieved a technical for her role in the situation. Kentucky had an additonal player ejected for leaving the bench. UPDATE: Eight players were ejected.
A tough time to lose your cool.