BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Louisiana State advanced to the Southeastern Conference tournament semifinals with a 99-89 decision over Tennessee Friday night in a game that saw 10 players -- including Tigers star Shaquille O'Neal -- ejected as a result of a fight in which both benches emptied.
O'Neal and Tennessee's Carlus Groves were kicked out of the game for fighting with 10:05 left in the contest.
Under NCAA rules, O'Neal will receive a one-game suspension. He will miss Saturday's semifinal game against Kentucky.
Four other players from each team were also ejected for leaving the bench, but the four from LSU -- Harold Boudreaux, Maurice Williamson, Vernel Singleton and Jamie Brandon -- will be available for Saturday's game because they were not ejected for fighting.
The brawl broke out when O'Neal, heading in for a layup, was grabbed around the waist by Groves. Both players began shoving and the benches emptied as Tigers' coach Dale Brown charged at Groves.
The Volunteers were down, 73-51, at the time, but when LSU lost four starters for the rest of the game because of the fight, they were able to close the gap to 10 points with three minutes to play.
But LSU held on for its first win in the SEC tournament since 1988.
Singleton paced the Tigers with 17 points. O'Neal had 16 points and 16 rebounds before departing.
Corey Allen paced the Volunteers with 32, including 15 after the melee. Allan Houston had 24 points, with 16 coming after the fight.
Steve Rivers, Jay Price, Chris Brand and Alonzo Johnson were ejected for leaving Tennessee's bench. Groves had 13 points before he was ejected.
