PROVIDENCE – A Big East college basketball game between the Providence Friars and the No. 17 St. John’s Red Storm descended into chaos Saturday afternoon at the Amica Mutual Pavilion, culminating in the ejection of seven players following an on-court altercation. The incident occurred while Providence was enjoying a resurgence, having erased a double-digit deficit and taken the lead for the first time since the early stages of the game.
According to reports, the fighting began during the game, which Providence was winning at the time. The specifics leading to the widespread ejections remain under investigation, but the incident involved former Friars star Bryce Hopkins, now playing for St. John’s. The altercation quickly escalated, prompting officials to eject multiple players from both teams.
The game resumed after a significant delay, but the atmosphere was markedly altered. St. John’s ultimately secured a 79-69 victory, despite the disruptions. The win improves St. John’s record to 20-5 overall and 13-1 in Big East play. Providence falls to 11-15, with a 4-11 record in conference games.
Jaylin Sellers, a graduate student guard for Providence, had been instrumental in the Friars’ comeback before the incident. He had begun to find his rhythm after a slow start to the game, scoring 23 points in a previous loss to Seton Hall on February 10th, according to reports. Sellers is a key player for Providence, averaging 13.0 points per game this season, and is currently listed as a graduate student.
Providence is known for its rebounding prowess, leading the Big East in that category with an average of 35.8 boards per game. Oswin Erhunmwunse, a forward for the Friars, leads the team in rebounding with 8.4 per game, and also contributes 7.5 points and 2.4 blocks per game. Stefan Vaaks, another Providence player, has been a consistent threat from beyond the arc, making an average of 2.8 three-pointers over the last ten games.
St. John’s entered the game with a strong record against Big East opponents, boasting a 12-1 mark within the conference. Oziyah Sellers, a guard for the Red Storm, averages 1.5 made three-pointers per game, scoring 10.9 points while shooting 36.3% from beyond the arc. Zuby Ejiofor has been a standout performer for St. John’s recently, averaging 16.8 points, seven rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.5 steals over the past ten games.
The game marked the first meeting between Providence and St. John’s in conference play this season. Prior to Saturday’s game, Providence had a 9-4 record in home games. St. John’s had demonstrated a strong record against teams with winning records, holding a 17-5 record against opponents over .500.
Statistically, Providence averages 88.2 points per game, 16.0 more than the 72.2 points St. John’s typically allows. St. John’s, shoots at a 46.3% rate from the field, slightly higher than the 44.7% shooting percentage allowed by Providence’s opponents.
The incident raises questions about sportsmanship and the potential for escalation in collegiate athletics. While the specific details of the altercation are still emerging, the widespread ejections underscore the intensity of competition within the Big East conference. The league is expected to review the incident and potentially issue further disciplinary action.
The game also highlighted the contrasting performances of key players. While Jaylin Sellers had been instrumental in Providence’s comeback, the ejection disrupted the Friars’ momentum. St. John’s, despite the disruptions, was able to capitalize on the situation and secure the victory. The Red Storm’s strong record in close games and against tough opponents suggests they are a formidable contender in the Big East.
The aftermath of the game is likely to focus on the conduct of the players involved and the measures that can be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future. College basketball officials and conference administrators will likely review game footage and interview players and coaches to determine the root causes of the altercation and implement strategies to promote sportsmanship and respect on the court.
Providence’s next scheduled game is against Xavier on February 24th. St. John’s will continue its Big East schedule with upcoming games against other conference rivals. The outcome of these games will be crucial as teams vie for position in the upcoming Big East tournament.
