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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 fight late in the game.
With the outcome decided and Saint Louis dribbling in the final seconds as the home fans stood and cheered, VCU’s Nyk Lewis stripped the ball from Billikens guard Quentin Jones and launched a half-court 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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Saint Louis center Robbie Avila (21) drives to the basket during an Atlantic 10 Conference game against the Virginia Commonwealth Rams on Feb. 20, 2026, at Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis. (Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Coaches from both teams were seen pushing and shoving near mid-court before referees quickly intervened to try to restore order. After a break in the action, both teams returned to the court.
Lewis went to the free throw line and put on three shows before the game officially ended.
St. Louis coach Josh Schertz downplayed the incident, describing it as a routine outbreak that can occur in intense basketball games.
“There were no hits,” Schertz told reporters after the game. “It was a typical basketball fight, a lot of pushing and no one did anything.”
Officials disqualified players who left the bench area during the fight, 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 Feb. 20, 2026 at Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis. (Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
VCU coach Phil Martelli Jr. suggested that intense emotions were inevitable in a matchup between two physical teams.
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“I think there’s certainly a healthy intensity, like there should be at the top of the league, right? We have a lot of respect for them. I think they have some respect for us, I guess,” he said.
“They are two tough teams, two very competitive teams, two physical teams. Things like that, you wish it didn’t happen, but yeah, 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 Feb. 20, 2026 at Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis. (Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Games between Saint Louis and VCU have gotten messy 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 to take on Fordham. Saint Louis travels to Ohio to meet Dayton on February 24.
Fight between No. 18 Saint Louis and VCU leaves Rams with only 4 players on the court
