College basketball game descends into chaos as brawl erupts during handshake line

What started as a routine post-game handshake line turned into a chaotic brawl following the matchup between Texas A&M-Commerce and Incarnate Word, two Southland Conference rivals. After Texas A&M-Commerce secured a 76-72 victory on the road, tensions flared as players, coaches, and staff became embroiled in multiple skirmishes on the court.

Jerome Brewer Jr., a 6-foot-9-inch sophomore forward from Camden High School in New Jersey, found himself at the center of the melee, grappling with his own coaches who attempted to restrain him. Despite efforts to defuse the situation, the conflict escalated as players from both teams became involved in altercations, resulting in punches being thrown and chaos spreading across the court.

Incarnate Word’s Marcus Glover, a 6-foot-8-inch forward from Chicago, was observed charging across the court in an attempt to confront Texas A&M-Commerce players, although physical contact was prevented by coaches intervening. Similarly, Incarnate Word’s Josiah Hammons sought to engage with opposing players before being restrained by team staff.

The altercation persisted for several minutes before both teams were eventually ushered off the court by staff, with measures taken to prevent further escalation. In a joint statement, the two schools expressed their disapproval of the unsportsmanlike conduct and affirmed their commitment to reviewing the incident in collaboration with the Southland Conference.

The Southland Conference also condemned the behavior, emphasizing the need for appropriate disciplinary action and reaffirming the priority of ensuring the safety of all involved.

The incident, while reflective of intense rivalry, underscored the importance of upholding sportsmanship and respect in college athletics, serving as a reminder of the consequences of unsportsmanlike conduct.