PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Six players were ejected from Saturday’s game between No. 17 St. John’s and Providence after a fracas resulting from a hard foul by Friars forward Duncan Powell on Bryce Hopkins sent the Red Storm star crashing to the ground.
St. John’s coach Rick Pitino, who led Providence to the 1987 Final Four, was in the middle of it, trying to hold back his players. But several entered the fray as it drifted toward the Red Storm bench.
Oswin Erhunmwunse. Others in the game got involved and the players from the nearby St. John’s bench couldn’t be held back any longer.
The pushing and shoving continued while coaches, referees and security tried to break it up.
During the delay, players for both teams warmed up at their baskets. As the referees updated the coaches on their decision, the fans broke into a chant of «Duncan Powell!»
Providence guard Jaylin Sellers was led down the tunnel to cheers from the crowd; he was soon joined by Powell. Dillon Mitchell, Ruben Prey, Sadiku Ibine Ayo and Kelvin Odih of St. John’s also were ejected.
Hopkins made two free throws, then St. John’s Oziyah Sellers made one of two and followed it with a layup for a five-point play that gave the Red Storm a 44-40 lead. After a Friars miss, St. John’s Dylan Darling hit a 3-pointer for a seven-point lead.
Tensions flared again with five minutes left after a hard foul by Erhunmwunse on St. John’s Zuby Ejiofor. That was ruled a common foul, but Providence fans under the basket got the Red Storm players riled up enough for the referees to step in.
