Police in Ohio are investigating after Memphis guard Jamirah Shutes sucker punched Bowling Green’s Elissa Brett in the face during a handshake following BGSU’s victory Thursday night in the third round of the Women’s National Invitational Tournament (WNIT).
The university issued a statement after the game announcing that the incident had been turned over to campus police.
Bowling Green Falcons guard Elissa Brett, #5, left, is assisted off the court after an altercation with Memphis Tigers guard Jamirah Shutes, not pictured, during the postgame handshake following a third-round women’s college basketball game of the Women’s National Invitational Tournament between the Memphis Tigers and the Bowling Green Flacons on March 23, 2023 at the Stroh Center in Bowling Green, Ohio. (Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BGSU declined to comment. furthermore, citing an “active” investigation.
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“The incident that took place after tonight’s home visit game has been turned over to the BGSU Police Department,” the statement read. “Bowling Green State University Athletics does not comment on active police investigations. Our priority is the health, safety and support of our student-athletes.”
Bowling Green advanced to the Big 8 on Thursday night after beating Memphis 73-60, but tensions were still high when the two teams met on Center Court to shake hands.
Senior Jamirah Shutes appeared to stop and exchange words with Brett before throwing a punch that knocked the Falcons senior to the ground. Shutes was quickly pulled away by a Memphis staff member before being escorted off the court.
Memphis Tigers guard Jamirah Shutes, #23, is escorted off the court after an altercation with Bowling Green Falcons guard Elissa Brett, not pictured, during the postgame handshake following a Women’s National Invitation Tournament third-round college basketball game between the Memphis Tigers and the Bowling Green Flacons on March 23, 2023 at the Stroh Center in Bowling Green, Ohio. (Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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Brett appeared to lie down on the ground before walking off the court on his own.
“We’re still figuring out all of that stuff, what happened,” Falcons head coach Robyn Fralich said during his postgame news conference when asked about the altercation. He gave a similar response when asked about Brett’s condition.
“We’re still figuring all that out, too.”
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It’s unclear what sparked the incident, but according to The Memphis Commercial Appeal, Shutes was elbowed in the face with 24 seconds left in the first quarter and played just eight minutes in the first half. He started the second half again.
Bowling Green Falcons guard Elissa Brett, #5, attempts to call the charge against Memphis Tigers guard Jamirah Shutes, #23, during a National Tournament third round women’s college basketball game Women’s Invitational between the Memphis Tigers and the Bowling Green Flacons on March 23, 2023 at the Stroh Center in Bowling Green, Ohio. (Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Shutes finished with her last game with the tigers with 13 points. Brett finished with 15 and will face Florida on Monday night.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
