Bowling Green issued a statement addressing the physical altercation that occurred after a Women’s National Invitational Tournament game against Memphis on Thursday. Here’s what you need to know:

• In the handshake line following Bowling Green’s 73-60 win over Memphis, Memphis guard Jamirah Shutes and Bowling Green guard Elissa Brett stopped and spoke with each other. Shutes then appeared to hit Brett in the face, according to a video posted online. 
• Brett fell to the court and was surrounded by teammates while Shutes’ teammates led her off the court in the opposite direction. 
• The Bowling Green State University Police Department is investigating the incident, per a statement released by the school.

What they’re saying

“The incident that took place following tonight’s home WNIT game has been turned over to the BGSU Police Department. Bowling Green State University Athletics does not make comments about active police investigations,” the school’s statement said. “Our priority is with the health, safety and support of our student-athletes.”

(Photo: Andy Lyons / Getty Images) 

And just like that — there’s another Big Ten opening.

On Monday, Michigan State announced that longtime coach Suzy Merchant is stepping down for health reasons. The university said that Dean Lockwood, who had assumed the role of acting head coach after Merchant was involved in a car accident and has been leading the team since then, will be interim head coach until a permanent replacement is named.

This opening could impact Minnesota as it hunts to replace Lindsay Whalen; Michigan State has a more expansive history in terms of women’s hoops success, especially recently. The Spartans are the last Big Ten team to make a national championship appearance, a game they lost to Baylor in 2005. But the Spartans have also made 12 tournament appearances since then.

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