BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – The Southeastern Conference fined LSU $100,000 in connection with fans who ran onto the field after the Tigers' win over No. 17 Kentucky, the league announced Thursday.
Tyrell Ward's basket as time expired gave LSU a 75-74 victory Wednesday night and sparked an assault on the court.
The safety risks associated with court storming have received more attention this season after Iowa superstar Caitlin Clark collided with a fan while walking off the court at Ohio State after the Buckeyes beat the Hawkeyes.
LSU was fined under the SEC's revised competition area access policy. The policy states that access to playing surfaces is limited at all times to athletes, coaches, officials, support staff and duly accredited or authorized persons.
“For the safety of both participants and spectators, at no time before, during or after a competition can spectators enter the competition area,” the policy says.
Fines are $100,000 for a first offense, $250,000 for a second offense and $500,000 for a third and subsequent offense.
For conference games, fines are paid to the opposing institution. For non-conference games, fines are deposited into the SEC Graduate Scholarship Fund.
