Big 12 to review Mizzou melee

Washington not planning to discipline Jayhawks

Big 12 Conference officials are expected to determine this week what action to take in the wake of a brawl after Saturday’s Kansas-Missouri women’s basketball game in Columbia, Mo.

While the teams were shaking hands following Kansas’ 55-52 victory, kicking, punching and shoving broke out.

KU coach Marian Washington said MU players made obscene gestures to the Jayhawks and that her players were spat on by Mizzou’s band.

Washington called the postgame atmosphere one of the worst she has seen in her 31 years as the Jayhawks’ coach.

“I still can’t believe it,” said Washington, whose team plays host to No. 15 Colorado at 7:05 tonight at Allen Fieldhouse.

Washington stressed she has no plans to discipline anyone on her team. However, Missouri officials are expected to take disciplinary action.

Missouri coach Cindy Stein said her review of videotape from the fracas proved “it is clear that several players reacted in an inappropriate manner” she deemed intolerable.

Without elaborating, Stein said Missouri has recommended to the Big 12 Conference “action to be taken on our behalf,” with acceptance of any further action the league deems necessary.

Dru Hancock, Big 12 associate commissioner in charge of women’s basketball, said Stein admitted that MyEsha Perkins, a senior guard from Detroit, threw a punch at a Kansas player.

Mike Alden, Missouri’s athletic director, called the episode he helped break up “an unfortunate incident and not indicative of proper behavior” at Missouri.

Alden said the school would send a full report to the Big 12 later Monday. League officials were expected to review the tape today.

Kansas and Missouri are scheduled to meet again a week from Saturday in Allen Fieldhouse.