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