COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Southeastern Conference fined South Carolina $100,000 for its fans storming the court after the Gamecocks’ 79-62 win over No. 6 Kentucky.
The league announced the fine Wednesday, a day after South Carolina posted a win over its highest ranked opponent at home in 14 years.
The SEC adopted more stringent fines at its meetings last spring. A first offense brings a fine of $100,000, a second $250,000 with subsequent offenses costing $500,000.
The league gave all members a clean slate so this counts as South Carolina’s first offense. The school had previously rushed the court back in 2014 when South Carolina upset Kentucky in men’s basketball. In 2022, fans stormed the field at Williams-Brice Stadium when the Gamecock football team took down then fifth-ranked Tennessee.
Fans quickly burst through the yellow rope line when the game ended. Among those celebrating on the court were women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley and several members of her team. Also on the floor was former university president Harris Pastides, who posted on social media that he had to pay a fine during his tenure after big wins.
“This time it was free for me so I joined the crowd,” he posted.
Storming the court has come under scrutiny since Iowa star Caitlin Clark was run into and knocked to the ground by a fan at Ohio State celebrating the Buckeyes win over the Hawkeyes Sunday.
Kentucky players were gotten off the floor quickly and no such incidents were reported.