No. 1 South Carolina at UNC gets testy: 2 techs issued after 1st-quarter scuffle
CHAPEL HILL — When No. 24 UNC welcomed No. 1 South Carolina women's basketball to Carmichael Arena on Thursday night for their ACC/SEC Challenge matchup, it wasn't a warm one.
With 2:09 remaining in the first quarter and the Tar Heels (5-2) leading 17-9, South Carolina's Ashlyn Watkins got tangled up with UNC guard Alyssa Ustby in the paint under UNC's basket after forcing a turnover. No foul was called, but there was heavy contact on the play.
As Ustby and Watkins got to their feet, shoving and jawing ensued, and Kamilla Cardoso tugged the back of Watkins' jersey to slow her down while the chatter continued downcourt. UNC's Deja Kelly stepped in front of Watkins near midcourt and the two began jawing, exchanging light shoves. before being separated.
Double-technical fouls were issued to Kelly and Watkins.
The last time these teams met was in the 2022 Sweet 16, South Carolina's only win by less than double-figures on its way to the national championship. The Gamecocks entered Thursday's game 5-0.
MORE FROM ACC/SEC CHALLENGE: River Baldwin's emergence continues as No. 5 NC State women's basketball beats Vanderbilt
HARRISON INGRAM: UNC basketball's Harrison Ingram giving Tar Heels something Hubert Davis loves to see
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: South Carolina UNC women fight technical fouls scuffle
