University of Memphis senior guard Jamirah Shutes has been charged with assault for sucker punching Bowling Green State University senior guard Elissa Brett in the handshake line following Thursday’s Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) game, according to a statement issued by BGSU Friday.
Updated Bowling Green Athletics Statement on March 23 Incident:
Following Thursday’s unwarranted physical incident after the WNIT home game, the Bowling Green State University Police Department has charged a member of the Memphis Women’s Basketball team with assault Additionally, BGSU Athletics is conducting its own review. Violence is never acceptable and our priority remains the health, safety and support of our student-athlete, who is recovering and doing well. This is an active investigation in conjunction with the City of Bowling Green Prosecutor, and no further comment is available at this time.
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From WTOL-TV:
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio — Bowling Green State University women’s basketball player Elissa Brett was punched by Memphis’ Jamirah Shutes in the handshake line following the Falcons’ 73-60 win over the Tigers at a WNIT home game Thursday.
The incident was turned over to the BGSU Police Department, the university said Thursday night.
In an update Friday, BGSU athletics released a statement saying the Memphis player has been charged with assault.
“Following Thursday’s unwarranted physical incident after the WNIT home game, the Bowling Green State University Police Department has charged a member of the Memphis Women’s Basketball team with assault,” the statement reads. “Additionally, BGSU Athletics is conducting its own review. Violence is never acceptable and our priority remains the health, safety and support of our student-athlete, who is recovering and doing well. This is an active investigation in conjunction with the City of Bowling Green Prosecutor, and no further comment is available at this time.”
The following statement was released late Thursday night:
“Bowling Green State University Athletics does not make comments about active police investigations,” BGSU said in a statement. “Our priority is with the health, safety and support of our student-athletes.”
Brett and Shutes appeared to exchange words before Shutes hit her. Brett laid on the floor for a few minutes following the punch before being helped off the court. Shutes was escorted off the court by her team immediately after the punch.
Memphis’ athletics department said Friday that the incident was “extremely unfortunate and certainly not consistent with, or representative of, our expectations for our programs and student-athletes.”
“Because the incident occurred after the game, jurisdiction falls in the hands of local authorities, and we are cooperating fully with their process,” the statement said. “To be respectful of that process, we will not comment further until it is complete.”
BGSU will host Florida in the WNIT quarterfinals on Monday at 6 p.m. at the Stroh Center.
WTOL-TV captured the punch from a different angle that appears to show Elissa Brett hitting her head on the scorer’s table.
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Photos taken after the incident show the team and Brett in shock over the cheap shot:
