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The No. 18 Saint Louis Billikens males’s basketball staff averted what would have been its third lack of the season Friday.
Nonetheless, the Billikens’ 88-75 Atlantic 10 Convention win over Virginia Commonwealth University was marred by a late-game brawl.
With the end result determined and Saint Louis dribbling out the ultimate seconds as dwelling followers stood and cheered, VCU’s Nyk Lewis swiped the ball from Billikens guard Quentin Jones and launched a half-court shot on the buzzer.
Saint Louis guard Robbie Avila appeared to shove Lewis throughout the shot try. Moments later, each groups’ benches emptied, and a brawl ensued.
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Saint Louis middle Robbie Avila (21) drives to the basket throughout an Atlantic 10 Convention recreation in opposition to the Virginia Commonwealth Rams Feb. 20, 2026, at Chaifetz Area in St. Louis. (Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photos)
Coaches from each groups have been seen pushing and shoving close to midcourt earlier than officers rapidly intervened to try to restore order. After a break within the motion, each groups returned to the court docket.
Lewis went to the free throw line and made three reveals earlier than the sport formally ended.
St. Louis coach Josh Schertz downplayed the incident, describing it as a routine flare-up that may occur in intense basketball games.
“There have been no punches thrown,” Schertz informed reporters after the sport. “It was a typical basketball struggle, a variety of pushing and shoving and no one did something.”
Officers disqualified gamers who left the bench space throughout the scuffle, together with Jones and VCU’s Barry Evans.
Saint Louis guard Isaac Holmes (12) drives to the basket as VCU Rams ahead Barry Evans (5) defends throughout an Atlantic 10 Convention basketball recreation Feb. 20, 2026 at Chaifetz Area in St. Louis. (Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photos)
VCU coach Phil Martelli Jr. prompt that heightened feelings have been inevitable in a matchup between two bodily groups.
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“I believe there’s actually a wholesome depth as there must be on the high of the league, proper? We’ve acquired a variety of respect for them. I believe they’ve some respect for us, I assume,” he stated.
“It’s two robust groups, two very aggressive groups, two bodily groups. Stuff like that, you would like it didn’t occur, however, yeah, it’s an intense recreation. It’s an emotional recreation.”
VCU Rams ahead Lazar Djokovic (17) holds the ball as Saint Louis ahead Paul Otieno (25) defends throughout an Atlantic 10 Convention basketball recreation Feb. 20, 2026 at Chaifetz Area in St. Louis. (Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photos)
Video games between Saint Louis and VCU have gotten chippy previously, with a wild struggle breaking out within the stands when the 2 faculties met final season.
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VCU returns to Richmond subsequent Saturday for a matchup with Fordham. Saint Louis travels to Ohio for a gathering with Dayton Feb. 24.
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Brawl between No. 18 Saint Louis and VCU leaves Rams with solely 4 gamers on court docket
