Shove in final seconds sparks bench-clearing brawl in Saint Louis-VCU college basketball clash

The No. 18 Saint Louis Billikens men's hoops squad avoided what would person been its 3rd nonaccomplishment of the play Friday. 

However, the Billikens' 88-75 Atlantic 10 Conference triumph implicit Virginia Commonwealth University was marred by a late-game brawl.

With the result decided and Saint Louis dribbling retired the last seconds arsenic location fans stood and cheered, VCU’s Nyk Lewis swiped the shot from Billikens defender Quentin Jones and launched a half-court changeable astatine the buzzer.

Saint Louis defender Robbie Avila appeared to shove Lewis during the changeable attempt. Moments later, some teams’ benches emptied, and a brawl ensued.

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Saint Louis halfway Robbie Avila (21) drives to the handbasket during an Atlantic 10 Conference crippled against the Virginia Commonwealth Rams Feb. 20, 2026, astatine Chaifetz Arena successful St. Louis. (Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Coaches from some teams were seen pushing and shoving adjacent midcourt earlier officials rapidly intervened to effort and reconstruct order. After a interruption successful the action, some teams returned to the court.

Lewis went to the escaped propulsion enactment and made 3 shows earlier the crippled officially ended.

St. Louis manager Josh Schertz downplayed the incident, describing it arsenic a regular flare-up that tin hap successful aggravated hoops games. 

"There were nary punches thrown," Schertz told reporters aft the game. "It was a emblematic hoops fight, a batch of pushing and shoving and cipher did anything."

Officials disqualified players who near the seat country during the scuffle, including Jones and VCU’s Barry Evans. 

Saint Louis defender Isaac Holmes (12) drives to the handbasket arsenic VCU Rams guardant Barry Evans (5) defends during an Atlantic 10 Conference hoops crippled Feb. 20, 2026 astatine Chaifetz Arena successful St. Louis. (Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

VCU manager Phil Martelli Jr. suggested that heightened emotions were inevitable successful a matchup betwixt 2 carnal teams.

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"I deliberation there’s surely a steadfast strength arsenic determination should beryllium astatine the apical of the league, right? We’ve got a batch of respect for them. I deliberation they person immoderate respect for us, I assume," helium said. 

"It’s 2 pugnacious teams, 2 precise competitory teams, 2 carnal teams. Stuff similar that, you privation it didn’t happen, but, yeah, it’s an aggravated game. It’s an affectional game."

VCU Rams guardant Lazar Djokovic (17) holds the shot arsenic Saint Louis guardant Paul Otieno (25) defends during an Atlantic 10 Conference hoops crippled Feb. 20, 2026 astatine Chaifetz Arena successful St. Louis. (Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Games betwixt Saint Louis and VCU person gotten chippy successful the past, with a chaotic combat breaking retired successful the stands erstwhile the 2 schools met past season.

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VCU returns to Richmond adjacent Saturday for a matchup with Fordham. Saint Louis travels to Ohio for a gathering with Dayton Feb. 24.

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Brawl betwixt No. 18 Saint Louis and VCU leaves Rams with lone 4 players connected court