Chaos erupts between St John’s and Providence; 6 players ejected in wild scene
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No. 17 St. St. John’s earned its 11th consecutive victory with a 79-69 win over Providence on Saturday at Amica Mutual Pavilion, but it wasn’t without its fireworks.
Six players were removed from the game.
Providence forward Duncan Powell, St. John’s caused a stir by making a hard foul on Bryce Hopkins. Powell stood over him after the foul, and Hopkins stood up and charged at Powell, sparking chaos.
Players from both sides quickly became involved in the fight and eventually St. John the players on the bench couldn’t resist and joined them. Coaches, referees and security tried to break up the pushing and shoving from both sides.
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Duncan Powell, 31, of Providence Friars, at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, RI, on February 14, 2026. John’s fouls Red Storm’s Bryce Hopkins (23). (Icon Sportswire via M. Anthony Nesmith/Getty Images)
After the game was delayed for approximately 20 minutes, St. Four players were ejected from St. John’s, while two players were ejected from Providence. Jaylin Sellers and Providence’s Powell were ejected, while Dillon Mitchell, Ruben Prey, Sadiku Ibine Ayo and Kelvin Odih were substituted for St. Louis. John’s players.
The delay lasted so long that players from each team were warming up in their respective baskets.
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St. St. John’s Red Storm’s Zuby Ejiofor (24) and Providence Friars’ Jaylin Sellers (2) talk to each other during a melee following a hard foul by Providence Friars’ Duncan Powell (31) at Amica Mutual Pavilion (not pictured) in Providence, RI, Feb. 14, 2026. (Icon Sportswire via M. Anthony Nesmith/Getty Images)
St. St. John’s saw their 13-point lead disappear when a hard foul occurred. After the hard foul, St. St. John’s went on an 8-0 run and never looked back.
For St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino, this meant a return to one of his previous head coaching stops. Pitino led Providence to the Final Four in 1987.
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Rick Pitino of St. John’s Red Storm and Kim English of the Providence Friars try to end a melee following a hard foul by Duncan Powell (31) of the Providence Friars at Amica Mutual Pavilion on February 14, 2026 in Providence, RI. (Icon Sportswire via M. Anthony Nesmith/Getty Images)
The Red Storm, ranked No. 5 in the Associated Press preseason poll, fell behind in the rankings after opening the season with a 7-4 record and lost to three ranked opponents and Kentucky. They re-entered the rankings three weeks ago at #25 and have been on the rise ever since.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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