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The No. 18 Saint Louis Billikens men’s basketball team avoided what would have been its third loss of the season on Friday.
However, the Billikens’ 88-75 Atlantic 10 Conference victory over Virginia Commonwealth University was marred by a late-game brawl.
With the result decided and Saint Louis dribbling the final seconds as the home fans stood and cheered, VCU’s Nyk Lewis swiped the ball from Billikens guard Quentin Jones and launched a midcourt shot at the buzzer.
Saint Louis guard Robbie Avila appeared to push Lewis during the shot attempt. Moments later, both teams’ benches emptied and a fight ensued.
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St. Louis center Robbie Avila (21) drives to the basket during an Atlantic 10 Conference game against the Virginia Commonwealth Rams on February 20, 2026, at Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis. (Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Coaches from both teams were seen jostling near midfield before officials quickly intervened to try to restore order. After a break in the action, both teams returned to the field.
Lewis went to the free throw line and made three shows before the game officially ended.
St. Louis coach Josh Schertz downplayed the incident, describing it as a routine push that can occur during intense basketball games.
“No punches were thrown,” Schertz told reporters after the game. “It was a typical basketball fight, a lot of pushing and shoving and no one did anything.”
Officials disqualified players who left the bench during the scuffle, including Jones and VCU’s Barry Evans.
Saint Louis guard Isaac Holmes (12) drives to the basket as VCU Rams forward Barry Evans (5) defends during an Atlantic 10 Conference basketball game on February 20, 2026 at Chaifetz Arena in Saint Louis. (Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
VCU coach Phil Martelli Jr. suggested heightened emotions were inevitable in a matchup between two physical teams.
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“I think there’s definitely a good intensity like there should be at the top of the league, right? We have a lot of respect for them. I think they have a certain respect for us, I guess,” he said.
“They’re two tough teams, two very competitive teams, two physical teams. Stuff like that, we wish it didn’t happen, but yes, it’s an intense game. It’s an emotional game.”
VCU Rams forward Lazar Djokovic (17) holds the ball as Saint Louis forward Paul Otieno (25) defends during an Atlantic 10 Conference basketball game on February 20, 2026 at Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis. (Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Games between Saint Louis and VCU have gotten heated in the past, with a wild brawl breaking out in the stands when the two schools met last season.
VCU returns to Richmond next Saturday for a matchup with Fordham. Saint Louis travels to Ohio for a meeting with Dayton on February 24.
Fight between No. 18 Saint Louis and VCU leaves Rams with only 4 players on the field
