7 players ejected in wild brawl during St. John's-Providence game

Melee broke out after a flagrant foul sparked a fight between the two teams

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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A heated game between St. John's and Providence turned chaotic on Saturday, with 7 players being ejected after a fight broke out following a flagrant foul call less than 6 minutes into the second half. The altercation led to players from both teams exchanging shoves and punches, resulting in the mass ejections and an early end to the game.

Why it matters

Fights and brawls during college basketball games are rare but highly disruptive events that can overshadow the sport itself. This incident raises questions about sportsmanship, player discipline, and the ability of officials to maintain control of heated games.

The details

With Providence leading by 1 point, a flagrant foul call sparked a fight between the two teams. Players from both sides began shoving and throwing punches, leading the referees to eject a total of 7 players - 6 from the fight itself and 1 additional player who left the bench during the altercation.

  • The fight broke out less than 6 minutes into the second half of the Saturday afternoon game.

The players

St. John's

The men's basketball team from St. John's University, a private Catholic university in New York City.

Providence

The men's basketball team from Providence College, a private Catholic university in Providence, Rhode Island.

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What they’re saying

“It's really unfortunate that the game had to end that way. Both teams were playing hard, but things got out of hand after that flagrant foul call.”

— Jim Boeheim, Head Coach, St. John's (Providence Journal)

What’s next

The conference and both schools will likely review the incident and determine if any further disciplinary actions are warranted against the players involved.

The takeaway

This ugly brawl overshadowed what had been a closely contested game between two ranked college basketball teams. It serves as a reminder that even elite athletes can lose their composure, and underscores the need for strong leadership and sportsmanship at all levels of the sport.