Feb 21 β€’ 22:23 UTC πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ USA Fox News

Shove in final seconds sparks bench-clearing brawl in Saint Louis-VCU college basketball clash

A last-second altercation during a college basketball game between the Saint Louis Billikens and Virginia Commonwealth University led to a bench-clearing brawl, overshadowing the Billikens' victory.

In a recent college basketball match-up, the No. 18 Saint Louis Billikens secured an 88-75 victory over Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in the Atlantic 10 Conference. However, the game concluded with a chaotic incident in the final seconds that marred the triumph. As the Billikens were dribbling out the clock, VCU's Nyk Lewis took an unexpected shot at the buzzer after stealing the ball from Quentin Jones, prompting a reaction from Saint Louis guard Robbie Avila, who shoved Lewis during his attempt.

This confrontation escalated quickly, leading to both teams leaving their benches and engaging in a brawl on the court. Coaches from both sides were caught in the melee, trying to separate players and restore order amidst the chaos. Officials intervened to break up the fight, and the game resumed after a brief pause. Lewis ultimately went to the free-throw line and made three shots, officially concluding the game while the brawl remained a hot topic far beyond the final whistle.

Saint Louis coach Josh Schertz later downplayed the incident, but it raises questions about sportsmanship and how emotions can sometimes overwhelm even the most disciplined teams. The altercation serves as a reminder of the tensions inherent in competitive sports, especially in high-stakes matches, and it could lead to discussions around disciplinary actions in the aftermath of such brawls, especially as college basketball continues through the season.

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