The Saint Louis Billikens secured a crucial 78-69 victory over the VCU Rams on Tuesday night, moving into a tie for second place in the Atlantic 10 standings. However, the intense matchup was overshadowed by a wild brawl in the stands.
A Chaotic Finish Overshadows Key Conference Battle of Saint Louis vs. VCU
The incident behind the VCU bench diverted attention from what should have been an exciting showdown between two top-tier conference teams.
This game was an important opportunity for both squads, with each seeking a stronger position in the Atlantic 10 rankings. The competition was fierce, but what should have been a tense and exciting finish took an unexpected turn when a fight broke out in the crowd.
The altercation escalated just as VCU’s Max Shulga drained a three-pointer to narrow Saint Louis’ lead. What began as a verbal exchange quickly spiraled into a physical confrontation, with multiple fans getting involved.
One man suffered facial injuries, while others were escorted out of the building. The stoppage lasted roughly seven minutes, disrupting the game’s natural flow.
At the time of the fight, Saint Louis led 69-63 with just over a minute left in regulation. The game had to be paused while security and police stepped in to restore order. The scene was chaotic, with fans shoving, throwing punches, and even tumbling over rows of seats.
The commotion was then managed, with the instigators removed from the arena. Amid the disorder, the loudspeakers blared Icona Pop’s “I Love It,” creating an odd contrast between the serious situation and the upbeat music.
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This kind of behavior is rare at college basketball games, where fan enthusiasm typically stays within reasonable limits. However, on this night, emotions ran high, leading to an unexpected delay. One commentator noted:
“This was obviously totally uncalled-for behavior because, c’mon, have some dignity, and also, the final minutes of basketball games already drag on and on. Incorporating a seven-minute delay so adults can conduct an impromptu Royal Rumble in the stands does not help with the pace of play.”
Billikens Secures the Win Despite Disruptions
Once the order was restored, Saint Louis closed out the game, maintaining control to secure the victory. Redshirt senior Gibson Jimerson led the Billikens with a game-high 26 points, shooting 8 of 16 from the field while adding five rebounds. Senior guard Kobe Johnson also played a key role, contributing 19 points and six rebounds.
For VCU, graduate seniors Phillip Russell and Zeb Jackson each scored 15 points, while Shulga added key baskets in the final stretch. The loss snapped VCU’s six-game winning streak, marking a tough setback in their push for a top conference spot.
With the victory, Saint Louis improved to 13-8 on the season and will now prepare to face the Dayton Flyers (14-7) on Friday night at Chaifetz Arena.
Meanwhile, VCU (16-5) will aim to rebound when they take on the Richmond Spiders (7-13) on Saturday in Richmond, Virginia. While the game itself had significant implications for the Atlantic 10 standings, the brawl will likely be remembered just as much as the outcome.
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