Three people were suspended after a brawl broke out during the quarterfinal game between UT Martin and SIU-Edwardsville. The match took place on Thursday night.
A clip posted on social media went viral. The video shows SIU-Edwardsville forward DeeJuan Pruitt punching UT Martin’s Rifen Miguel in the face with 4:13 remaining in the first half.
Miguel looked to be leaning into Pruitt as they descended the floor after an SIU-Edwardsville basket.
As the two approached mid-court, Pruitt threw a shot that sparked a fight between the two teams. Both athletes were suspended, as well as Jalen Myers of UT Martin. Myers had attempted to attack Pruitt in retaliation but did not land the punch.
In the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament, UT Martin eventually won the match with a score of 81-75.
Head coach of UT Martin Ryan Ridder remarked on the ESPN+ broadcast: “I think when you talk about an array of emotions — we talk about winning looks different every night,”
“If you had told me the last two hours would look like this, I wouldn’t have believed you. But at the end of the day, that’s a resilient group that found a way to come out shorthanded and get it done.”
UT Martin will now play against Tennessee Tech in the OVC playoffs. We do not know at this time whether any of the three suspended players will get any extra punishment.
Adam Miller is a talented writer with a passion for the UFC. As a UFC writer for Calfkicker, he’s found a way to combine his love for the sport with his gift for words. With a diploma in journalism and mass communication, Adam has a deep understanding of how to craft compelling content that resonates with readers.
Before finding his niche in the world of UFC writing, Adam worked as a freelance link builder and content writer. His diverse range of clients and businesses allowed him to hone his craft and develop a unique perspective that sets him apart from other writers in the field.