A violent foul in a Big East basketball game between Providence and St. John’s led to a brawl breaking out and a stunning six ejections in a Saturday game at Amica Mutual Pavilion in Rhode Island.
With the Providence Friars up 40-39 on the St. John’s Red Storm in the second half, St. John’s star Bryce Hopkins caught an outlet pass with a clear path to the hoop.
As Hopkins – a former Providence player – headed up to the rim, Friars center Duncan Powell fouled him hard as he wrapped his arms around Hopkins and tackled him to the ground.
Hopkins got right back up and shoved Powell as the two teams came together in a vicious display.
Powell broke off from the group and took a swing at St. John’s’ Oziyah Sellers – prompting multiple members of the Red Storm bench to run onto the court to get involved.
As more members of the two teams came together, Powell then turned around and took a swing at another St. John’s player: guard Dillon Mitchell.
Providence (white) and St. John’s (red) players got into a massive brawl on Saturday
A mass of security guards, coaches and Providence Police officers rushed over to break up the fight as players continued to jaw at each other.
In the stands, Providence’s notoriously rowdy student section began screaming and appeared to throw things in the direction of the court.
One Providence fan was ejected from the arena for antagonizing the St. John’s friends and family section.
Referees James Breeding, Tony Chiazza and Nathan Farrell took a total of 19 minutes to examine footage and dole out punishment.
In the end, six players were ejected from the game. Powell was tossed for fighting, which will mean he misses the Friars’ upcoming contest against DePaul.
Providence star Jaylin Sellers was also ejected – with the guard kicking a chair in frustration as he left the floor.
As for St. John’s, four players were kicked out of the game. Mitchell was ejected for his role in the melee.
But the other three St. John’s players – forward Sadiku Ibine Ayo, guard Kelvin Odih and forward Ruben Prey – were all tossed because they were not in the game and came off the bench to join the fight.
MORE TO FOLLOW.
