PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Friars forward Duncan Powell’s hard foul on Bryce Hopkins caused the Red Storm star to fall to the ground in Saturday’s game between No. 17 St. John’s and Providence, sparking a brawl that ejected six players.
St. John’s coach Rick Pitino, who led Providence to the 1987 Final Four, was in the middle of it, trying to stop his players. But as it drifted toward the Red Storm Bench, several men joined the fight.
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The game was delayed for nearly 20 minutes while the officials made penalty decisions: four players were ejected from St. John’s and two from Providence, and by the time the Friars got the ball back, they had seen a one-point lead turn into a four-point deficit.
St. John’s led by 13 points in the first half but fought back in the second half to take a one-point lead and the Friars took a 40-39 lead with 14:25 left in the game when Hopkins, who played three seasons at Providence, went for a layup but was struck by Powell’s arm across his head and face, knocking him to the ground.
Hopkins stood up and headed toward Powell, but was stopped and directed away by his former teammate, Friars forward Oswin Erhunmwunse. Others in the game got involved and the players on the nearby St John’s bench could do no more to hold back.
The pushing and shoving continued as coaches, referees and security tried to stop it.
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During the pause in the game, players from both teams warmed up under the basket. When the referee informed the coach of the latest decision, fans chanted “Duncan Powell!”
Providence guard Jaylin Sellers was led into the tunnel as the crowd cheered. Powell soon joined him. St. John’s’ Dillon Mitchell, Reuben Prey, Sadiku Ibin-Ayo and Kelvin Odih were also ejected.
Hopkins hit two free throws, then St. John’s Oziah Sellers hit one of two free throws and then scored five points with a layup to give the Red Storm a 44-40 lead. After the Friars missed a field goal, St. John’s Dylan Darling hit a 3-pointer for a seven-point lead.
Tensions increased again when Erhunmwunse fouled St. John’s Zuby Ejiofor with five minutes left in the game. It was ruled a common foul, but Providence fans under the rim angered the Red Storm players and the referees intervened.
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