Mali Women’s Basketball Player Punches Teammate After World Cup Loss, Apologizes

10:28 AM PT — The two players involved in the scuffle have issued an apology … saying the altercation all started because they were frustrated over the loss — and they regret their actions.

“We’re here to apologize to the world of basketball, FIBA, World Cup — and we’re here to apologize,” Kourouma told a room of reporters Tuesday. “We are sorry for the image.”

If you can’t beat ’em … beat up your teammate?!?

That’s what one Mali women’s basketball player apparently tried to do following a FIBA World Cup loss this week … throwing several punches after walking off the court — and the video is nuts!!

The incident went down after Mali’s 81-68 defeat at the hands of Serbia … which marked the country’s fourth L in four appearances.

The loss was seemingly 23-year-old forward Salimatou Kourouma ‘s breaking point … because she decided to let her hands fly and go after her own teammate, 17-year-old Kamite Elisabeth Dabou .

In the video, you can see the players’ teammates jumping in to break it up … but Kourouma tried like hell to get more punches off.

It’s unclear if something in the game sparked the incident.

The altercation got FIBA’s attention … and an investigation is now underway.

Mali didn’t have much luck in its final match of the Cup, either … losing 88-65 to Canada on Tuesday. Both players suited up for the contest … as Kourouma netted 9 points and 6 rebounds, and Dabou added 6 points.

Originally Published — 6:52 AM PT