© Jeff Blake-Imagn Images
The High Point women’s basketball team defeated rival Winthrop in Big South Conference action on Wednesday night. The outcome of the contest is not what’s grabbed attention.
Instead, it’s an ugly display that unfolded in the final moments of regulation. Punches were thrown by an Eagles player during a meaningless possession with the game already decided.
These two teams don’t necessarily like one another. The schools are separated by about 100 miles. They’d faced off more than 60 times prior with the Panthers riding a 13-game winning streak in the series.
High Point won the first matchup of the 2025-26 season. They travelled to Rock Hill, South Carolina with a spotless 9-0 mark in conference play and No. 1 standing in the league. Winthrop entered at 11-12 in hopes of playing spoiler.
The Eagles’ effort would fall short.
High Point beat Winthrop handily.
The Panthers came out the gates quick to build an eight-point first quarter lead. The advantage grew to 11 by halftime and ballooned to 20 by the start of the final period.
Winthrop would eventually fall, 88-74. The senior class will likely go winless against its conference foe.
The game was largely uneventful through the first 39 minutes. Tempers flared in the final 15 seconds.
We have PUNCHES THROWN in High Point @ Winthrop. pic.twitter.com/f5ZkanEWTa
— Skim Milkey (@SkimMilkey) February 5, 2026
As Winthrop dribbled down the court on what was likely its final possession, veteran forward Tocarra Johnson was being guarded by High Point’s Nevaeh Zavala.
Zavala attempted to swat a pass from Johnson’s hands. Chaos ensued.
Johnson took offense to the defense, which resulted in a foul on the Panthers. Before officials could sort out the specifics of the play, the Winthrop forward went ballistic on her counterpart.
Punches were thrown in the women’s basketball fight. The two sides were separated before any others got involved.
The unfortunate scene overshadowed High Point’s 10th consecutive Big South win as they set sights on a league title and NCAA Tournament bid.
It will be interesting to see what punishment follows the melee.