Fight, Ejections Disrupt St. John's Victory Over Providence

Tensions boiled over in the closing minutes of a heated Big East matchup.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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A physical and contentious Big East men's basketball game between St. John's and Providence ended with multiple players being ejected after a fight broke out in the final minutes. The Red Storm defeated the Friars, but the victory was marred by the on-court altercation that saw players from both teams exchange shoves and punches before being separated by officials.

Why it matters

Heated rivalries and physical play are common in college basketball, but the level of aggression displayed in this game raises concerns about player safety and sportsmanship. The incident could lead to suspensions and disciplinary action from the Big East conference.

The details

With just over a minute remaining and St. John's comfortably ahead, Providence's Bryce Hopkins and St. John's' Duncan Powell became entangled under the basket, shoving each other before other players joined the fracas. Referees quickly stepped in to break up the fight, and both Hopkins and Powell were ejected along with two other players.

  • The fight occurred with 1:07 remaining in the game.
  • St. John's defeated Providence by a final score of 78-65.

The players

Bryce Hopkins

A sophomore forward for the Providence Friars.

Duncan Powell

A junior forward for the St. John's Red Storm.

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What they’re saying

“Emotions got the best of both teams in the heat of competition. We'll review the incident and determine if any further disciplinary action is warranted.”

— Big East Conference Commissioner (oneidadispatch.com)

What’s next

The Big East Conference is expected to review footage of the incident and decide if any suspensions or additional penalties are necessary for the players involved.

The takeaway

This fight highlights the intense rivalries and high stakes in college basketball, but also underscores the need for players to maintain composure and sportsmanship, even in the heat of competition.