SEC Fines South Carolina for Court-Storming After Upset Win Over Kentucky

South Carolina Gamecocks fans celebrated their team’s win over the Kentucky Wildcats in style, and now the school will foot the bill.

The Southeastern Conference has fined the University of South Carolina $100,000 for violating the league’s “access to competition area” policy after fans stormed the court in the wake of Tuesday’s upset over Kentucky, the conference announced Wednesday.

With the 79–62 win over the No. 6 Wildcats, Lamont Paris’s squad improved to 16-3 overall on the season and and 4-2 in SEC play after being picked in the preseason to be one of the worst teams in the conference. Kentucky dropped to 14–4 overall and 4–2 in the SEC.

The Gamecocks likely are heading toward a top 25 ranking when the new polls come out early next week, and the school’s fans made sure to celebrate the emphatic win in style.  

If there are any other court-storming episodes at South Carolina, the fines will become more costly. A second offense will cost the school $250,000, and any subsequent violations will be $500,000 each.

It’s just a small price for the school to pay with its men’s basketball program on the ascent once again.