3 players ejected after fight during Alabama-Auburn game

Posted January 21, 2015 10:00 pm

The Associated Press

A fight between Auburn guard Hasina Muhammad (00) and Alabama guard Breanna Hayden (5) spills into the Alabama bench during an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015, at Foster Auditorium in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/AL.com, Vasha Hunt) MAGS OUT The Associated Press

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) - Three players were ejected after a fight broke out at the women's basketball game between Auburn and Alabama on Thursday night.

With 1:14 left in the first half and Alabama leading 28-15, Auburn's Hasina Muhammad and the Crimson Tide's Breanna Hayden got tangled up after a free throw. Video replay showed Hayden throwing a punch that connected with Muhammad's face.

An official got knocked to the floor as she tried to separate the two. Muhammad threw a punch after chasing Hayden toward the Alabama bench.

Both players were ejected. Meoshonti Knight of Alabama was also ejected for leaving the bench.

"I have no idea what completely happened, but BreBre (Hayden) apologized to her team immediately after that and knew that she had made a mistake," Alabama coach Kristy Curry said. "So again, I'll have to go back and evaluate."

Auburn coach Terri Williams-Flournoy wasn't happy with what happened.

"You're always disappointed in situations like that," she said. "You never want to see either player from either side ejected from the game. This is the game that they love, the game that they practice to play, and so you never want that to happen."

The Tigers (9-10, 0-6 SEC) turned the ball over a season-high 29 times in the game, but had a chance to win in the final seconds. Alabama (12-9, 1-5) missed a pair of free throws and the Tigers called timeout with 12.5 seconds left trailing by one. However, they couldn't get a decent look, and Brandy Montgomery's shot at the buzzer was blocked by Khadijah Carter.

Alabama held on for the 51-50 win.

Auburn guard Hasina Muhammad (0) goes after Alabama guard Breanna Hayden (5) after Hayden hit her as the referees and Auburn guard Kiani Parker (22) attempt to hold her back during an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015, at Foster Auditorium in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/AL.com, Vasha Hunt) MAGS OUT The Associated Press

The referees tell the coaches that three players, Auburn guard Hasina Muhammad (00), Alabama guard Breanna Hayden (5) and Alabama guard Meoshonti Knight (15), were ejected because of a fight during an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015, at Foster Auditorium in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/AL.com, Vasha Hunt) MAGS OUT The Associated Press

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