Late-game sequence ignites brawl in heated college basketball game
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The No. 18 Saint Louis Billikens men’s basketball team avoided its third loss of the season on Friday.
However, the Billikens’ 88-75 win over Virginia Commonwealth University in the Atlantic 10 Conference was marred by a brawl late in the game.
With Saint Louis dribbling and the home fans cheering in the final seconds, VCU’s Nyk Lewis took the ball from Billikens guard Quentin Jones and fired a shot from half court toward the buzzer.
Saint Louis guard Robbie Avila appeared to push Lewis during his shot attempt. After a while, the benches of both teams were empty and a fight broke out.
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Saint Louis center Robbie Avila (21) was transferred to St. Louis on February 20, 2026. He drives to the basket during an Atlantic 10 Conference game against the Virginia Commonwealth Rams at Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis. (Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Coaches from both teams were seen jostling near midfield before officials quickly intervened to restore order. After the break in action, both teams returned to the field.
Lewis went to the free throw line and made three shows before the game was officially over.
St. Louis coach Josh Schertz downplayed the incident, calling it a routine flare-up that can happen during intense basketball games.
“No punches were thrown,” Schertz told reporters after the match. “It was a typical basketball game, there was a lot of pushing and shoving and nobody did anything.”
Officials disqualified players who left the bench during the brawl, including Jones and VCU’s Barry Evans.
Saint Louis guard Isaac Holmes (12) transferred to St. Louis on February 20, 2026. VCU Rams forward Barry Evans (5) moves toward the basket while defending during an Atlantic 10 Conference basketball game at Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis. (Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
VCU coach Phil Martelli Jr. suggested that heightened emotions were inevitable in a game between two physical teams.
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“I definitely think there’s a healthy intensity there, as there should be at the top of the league, right? We have a lot of respect for them. I think they have some respect for us too,” he said.
“Two tough teams, two very competitive teams, two physical teams. Stuff like that, you wish it hadn’t happened, but yeah, it’s an intense game. It’s an emotional game.”
VCU Rams forward Lazar Djokovic (17) and Saint Louis forward Paul Otieno (25) were born in St. Louis on February 20, 2026. He holds the ball while defending during an Atlantic 10 Conference basketball game at Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis. (Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Games between Saint Louis and VCU have been volatile in the past, with a violent brawl breaking out in the stands when the two schools met last season.
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VCU returns to Richmond to face Fordham next Saturday. Saint Louis traveled to Ohio to meet with Dayton on February 24.
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Brawl between No. 18 Saint Louis and VCU leaves Rams with just 4 players on the field
