Four UIW basketball players suspended by Southland Conference for massive brawl that took place after game

SAN ANTONIO — A total of eight basketball players consisting of both UIW (University of the Incarnate Word) and Texas A&M University-Commerce students have been suspended by the Southland Conference after players were seen fighting after a game, according to a press release.

The Southland Conference made the announcement this afternoon saying that four UIW athletes and four Texas A&M University- Commerce athletes have been suspended effective immediately. 

The release says the eight students have been suspended for flagrant unsportmanlike actions following their game that took place Monday, Feb. 19. 

After their game a traditional handshake line followed when a confrontation between players turned into a prolonged, all-out brawl involving players, coaches and referees. It’s unclear how the confrontation began, but within moments the handshake line turned into a tangle of bodies, with some caught in the middle trying to break up the fighting. 

“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,” said Commissioner Chris Grant. 

The UIW players suspended are point guard, Elijah Davis suspended for three games, while guard Alex Anderson, center Gabe Beny Til, and forward Marcus Glover will be suspended for two games each.

After the suspensions were announced the UIW Athletic Director, Richard Duran released the following statement:

“The University of the Incarnate Word respects the decisions made by the Southland Conference. We will honor the suspensions handed down effective immediately. We would like to thank the SLC office for handling this matter in a fair and efficient manner. I appreciate Texas A&M-Commerce’s athletic director Jim Curry for partnering with me throughout the process.”

The University of Incarnate Word’s Men’s Basketball team plays McNeese State University on Saturday.