Shocking moment women's basketball game descends into a brawl as players FIGHT over loose ball before game is paused and two players are sent off

A women's basketball game took a turn as players from Michigan and Maryland began a scuffle with each other on the court leading the game to be stoppedThe incident occurred during Wednesday night's match at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor with less than four minutes remaining in the third quarter Michigan's Lauren Hansen and Maryland's Bri McDaniel found themselves in a dispute over a loose ball - and it ultimately led to both players being sent off

A women’s basketball game descended into a punch-up on the court forcing the game to be halted.

Michigan Wolverines were taking on visitors Maryland Terrapins at the at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Wednesday night when players from both teams appeared to fight for the ball.

Game footage taken from up above and also courtside saw Michigan’s Lauren Hansen and Maryland’s Bri McDaniel both grabbing a loose ball and then trying to wrestle for it with less than four minutes left in the third quarter.

Despite the referee blowing the whistle, the players continued tussling with the situation quickly getting out of control.

A women’s basketball game took a turn as players from Michigan and Maryland began a scuffle with each other on the court leading the game to be stopped

The incident occurred during Wednesday night’s match at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor eith less than four minutes remaining in the third quarter

Slow motion analysis of the footage appears to show the Michigan player winning the tussle for the ball, but the Maryland player appears to be off balance with her arm was stuck in grip.

As she tried to pull her arm free, the Maryland player then pushes the Michigan player backwards in her head and shoulder area using her free hand.

The Michigan player reacts to being shoved by dropping the ball and attempting to throw a left punch – but she missed.

In the attempted punch, the Maryland player’s arm is freed. She then shoves the Maryland player back in return.

Just as the Maryland player wanted to throw a right punch, she pulled back and was held back by the ref. 

The pair were fighting over a loose ball as each attempted to grab it

The fight quickly escalated as the players began shoving one another

Maryland’s Bri McDaniel can be seen on the floor as she attempted to get the ball from Michigan’s Lauren Hansen

For a moment both players were seen on the ground as they wrestled for the ball

There was then a final subtle punch from the Michigan player against her Maryland counterpart. 

It then resulted in a shoving match with both players getting caught up in the moment as tensions suddenly escalated.

Both were given technical fouls and the pair were both sent off.

Members from both teams attempted to pull the pair apart with a referee was seen taking McDaniel to the sideline

Michigan went on to beat Maryland, 79-77, in overtime.

Maryland coach Brenda Frese said she was surprised the dust up didn’t push her squad more. 

‘I thought [the ejection] was going to motivate us,’ Frese said. ‘But it didn’t really rally us in any way. I thought Michigan was just a lot more inspired [after the ejections].’