College Basketball Game Gets Spicy, Multiple Players Ejected [WATCH]

Thursday’s highly anticipated Top-25 women’s college basketball showdown between the LSU Tigers and the Oklahoma Sooners saw tempers flare early, leading to multiple ejections, technical fouls, and intense moments on the sidelines.

The game featured a physical battle between LSU forward Sa’Myah Smith and Oklahoma forward Liz Scott, which resulted in both players being ejected in the first quarter.

The chippy contest also included a technical foul on LSU head coach Kim Mulkey and an animated clipboard-slapping moment as emotions ran high.

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Tensions escalated when Oklahoma center Beatrice Culliton and Smith got tangled while battling for position in the paint.

Culliton extended her arm to create separation, prompting Smith to retaliate by pushing her to the ground. Scott, also in the paint area, responded by shoving Smith, leading to an on-court confrontation.

LSU assistant of basketball operations Joe Schwartz quickly intervened to separate Smith from the altercation as both teams returned to their benches.

After an official review, Smith was called for a foul and ejected from the game.

“Pushing, I guess, is considered fighting,” Mulkey said after the game.

“It (Smith’s reaction) was shocking. It hurt our team with her not being a part of tonight, because we’re trying to develop her. My old mentor (former Louisiana Tech coach), Leon Barmore, always said you’ve got to keep a cool head in a hot game. . . . Never let ’em see you sweat.”

Despite the ejections, Mulkey acknowledged the intensity of the matchup. “I guess it was entertaining for the fans,” she added.

Things got chippy between Oklahoma-LSU 😳

Both Liz Scott and Sa’Myah Smith were ejected and will miss their next game. pic.twitter.com/T2sRyArwiM

— espnW (@espnW) January 31, 2025

The game resumed with Oklahoma holding a narrow 12-11 lead after the ejections. LSU built a commanding 67-45 lead late in the third quarter, but the Sooners stormed back, erasing a 24-point deficit and closing the gap to just one point in the final minute.

During the third quarter, Mulkey was visibly animated on the sidelines, slapping a clipboard held by assistant coach Seimone Augustus.

She then continued to yell and point while Augustus appeared briefly taken aback.

Referees later assessed a technical foul on Mulkey for arguing a foul call against LSU star guard Flau’Jae Johnson.

😂😂 https://t.co/ABlNTtIsSz pic.twitter.com/MhZG9Jhhfm

— Matthew Brune (@MatthewBrune_) January 31, 2025

Oklahoma head coach Jennie Baranczyk also received a technical at a different point in the game.

By the final whistle, the intense contest had resulted in five technical fouls and 63 total free throw attempts.

Despite Oklahoma’s late rally, LSU managed to hold on for a 107-100 victory.

Mulkey reflected on the chaotic nature of the game, which included multiple officiating decisions and momentum swings.

“We saw a lot of things tonight,” Mulkey said.

“You saw ejections. You saw two teams score over 100. You saw a technical on the second flop. . . . I got teed up, and she told me I got teed up for pointing at the big screen. I was definitely looking at the big screen, and I was not real happy, but I don’t know if I point. But she’s across the way. Whatever.”

With the win, seventh-ranked LSU improved to 22-1 on the season.

The Sooners, despite their spirited comeback, were unable to complete the upset in what turned out to be one of the most intense games of the season.

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