On Saturday, Alabama basketball hosted one of the biggest games in SEC history as the then-No. 2 Crimson Tide took on the No. 1 Auburn Tigers, the first time in SEC history the top two teams in the country have squared off.
To add to the intensity of the Iron Bowl of Basketball matchup, ESPN's "College GameDay" was on hand and the two in-state schools have immense disdain for each other, as seen in their football rivalry.
That disdain was seen early in the second half when Auburn forward Chad Baker-Mazara fell into the stands trying to save a loose ball and ended up landing on some Alabama fans sitting courtside.
The fans appeared to push Baker-Mazara away, and the player appeared to take offense. After some words from Baker-Mazara, the fans reacted by yelling at him as teammates removed him from the dust-up.
Not long after the kerfuffle, Auburn fans identified two of the courtside fans as Thompson Tractor owner Mike Thompson and his daughter, Lucy Thompson Marsh, president and CEO of Thompson Tractor.
After locking its social media account due to backlash, Thompson Tractor eventually issued a statement saying Marsh was not in attendance for the game and thus not involved in the altercation.
"Thompson Tractor’s President and CEO, Lucy Thompson Marsh, was not in attendance at Saturday’s Auburn Alabama Basketball game. Suggestions or statements that she was present or involved in the altercation are false," the company wrote.
Multiple sources have confirmed to 1819 News that the fan initially identified as Lucy Thompson Marsh is actually her sister, Annie Thompson Somerville, the executive director of the Thompson Foundation.
Auburn ended up winning the first game of the season series 94-85. They play again on March 8.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email trent.baker@1819news.com.
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