Saint Louis Billikens Triumph Over VCU Rams
In a heated Atlantic 10 contest, the No. 18 ranked Saint Louis Billikens toppled the VCU Rams 88-75 on Friday night, marking a pivotal moment in the battle for supremacy in the conference. As the game neared its conclusion, tensions flared, culminating in an on-court altercation that saw multiple players ejected and benches emptied with merely 1.1 seconds remaining on the clock.
On-Court Altercation
The incident began when Saint Louis star Robbie Avila was dribbling down the court to run out the clock. In a surprising twist, VCU’s Nyk Lewis intercepted the ball and attempted a shot, leading to a collision where Avila inadvertently bumped into Lewis, sending him crashing onto a broadcasting table. This prompted VCU’s Barry Evans to retaliate by pushing Avila from behind. In turn, Avila’s teammate, Quentin Jones, defended him by pushing back against Evans, escalating the scuffle.
“Nobody threw any punches; it was just a lot of pushing and shoving. I don’t think there was anything that warrants a suspension for either side,”
— Saint Louis head coach Josh Schertz
In the aftermath, both Evans and Jones received flagrant fouls that led to their ejection from the game. The referees subsequently disqualified several other players who left the benches to join the fray, allowing just enough athletes from both teams to conclude the match.
Reflections on the Rivalry
“We’ve got to have each other’s backs, especially when something like that happens,”
— VCU’s Lazar Djokovic, who was the game’s leading scorer with 19 points.
The close contest was a reflection of the fierce rivalry brewing between the two teams, according to Rams coach Phil Martelli Jr.. He noted, “There’s an intensity that comes with being at the top of the league, and although we respect each other, it’s an emotional game, and these things can occur.”
Schertz suggested that with hindsight, Avila might have opted to simply hold the ball rather than risking a steal in such a late-game scenario. Emphasizing the competitive environment, Avila himself commented on the emotional intensity of the game, acknowledging that while moments can escalate, there were no ill intentions behind the players’ actions.
Conclusion
As Saint Louis improved to a stunning 25-2 overall and 13-1 in the Atlantic 10, they successfully warded off VCU’s attempt to seize the top position in the standings with this victory, a crucial outcome in the chase for conference dominance.
