Though handshake lines typically signify the end of a basketball game, the tradition wound up serving as the opening bell of an impromptu boxing match during Monday night’s contest between Texas A&M University-Commerce and University of the Incarnate Word, the collegiate teams landing in an all-out brawl as they wished each other “good game.”


What prompted the fight remains a mystery, but whatever it was, it sent fists flying from both team’s rosters.

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“Oh no, this is not good; this is really not good,” the ESPN commentator remarked as things started turning violent, mere moments after Texas A&M University-Commerce beat Incarnate Word 76-72 in a tense overtime matchup for second-to-last place in the Southland Conference standings.


After roughly 90 seconds of pushing and shoving, players and coaches alike began duking it out. Things got so out-of-hand that a young girl in the stands was reportedly injured.


Luckily, no one else was hurt, and the two teams were ultimately able to reconcile — at least enough to pen a hasty CYA apology shared with sports media outlets.




“The University of the Incarnate Word and Texas A&M University-Commerce apologize for the behavior exhibited by our respective men’s basketball programs following the game on Monday night,” the statement read, before reiterating that “there is no place in college sports for such actions.”


“The unsportsmanlike conduct that occurred after the game does not reflect the values of the universities involved, as well as the Southland Conference and their member institutions,” it continued. “The matter is currently being reviewed collectively by the Conference office and both institutions as the safety of our student-athletes, staff and fans is our primary concern.”


Hey, if basketball doesn’t work out, there’s still a future for these college athletes — in the UFC.