St. John’s vs. Providence: Six Players Ejected Amid Heated Clash

In a heated encounter on February 13, 2026, the No. 17 St. John’s Red Storm defeated the Providence Friars 79-69 during a game marked by intense emotions and significant player ejections. The match took place in Providence, Rhode Island, showcasing not only athletic prowess but also a remarkable display of competitive spirit.

Incident Overview

Six players were ejected following a fracas that erupted after Providence forward Duncan Powell delivered a hard foul on Bryce Hopkins. This foul sent Hopkins tumbling to the ground, igniting a sequence of events that escalated tensions on the court.

Key Players Ejected

• Duncan Powell (Providence) – Ejected for a flagrant foul and technical foul for fighting.
• Jaylin Sellers (Providence) – Ejected for a dead ball flagrant foul.
• Dillon Mitchell (St. John’s) – Ejected for a dead ball flagrant technical foul.
• Ruben Prey, Sadiku Ibine Ayo, and Kelvin Odih (St. John’s) – Ejected for leaving the bench.

The game was delayed for nearly 20 minutes as referees worked to assess the situation and enforce penalties on the players involved.

Coach Reactions

St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino, who previously led Providence to the Final Four in 1987, found himself in the thick of the conflict, attempting to calm his players. Pitino remarked afterward, “You can’t let your players get beat up. You can’t fight… toughness has to come between the lines.”

Providence coach Kim English also voiced his disapproval of the foul, emphasizing the necessity of knowing when to execute hard fouls. “It’s a good, clean basketball play,” he noted, advocating for strategic defensive moves while expressing concerns over the foul’s execution.

Game Dynamics

St. John’s displayed strong performance, leading by as much as 13 points in the first half. However, Providence rallied back, briefly taking a 40-39 lead in the second half. Following the ejections, the game’s momentum shifted, allowing St. John’s to regain control.

Following the incident, Zuby Ejiofor of St. John’s acknowledged the challenging environment, especially for Hopkins, who faced his former team. “You have to have a great mindset to come in here and win,” he stated.

Scoring Highlights

Dylan Darling led St. John’s in scoring with 23 points. Despite the turmoil, Hopkins contributed nine points and nine rebounds. The victory marked St. John’s eleventh consecutive win, moving their record to 20-5 overall and 13-1 in the Big East Conference.

Looking Ahead

St. John’s next faces Marquette, while Providence will look to bounce back against DePaul on February 21. With significant penalties possibly forthcoming, the conference is set to review the game for further disciplinary action.

This encounter serves as a reminder of the passion that college basketball ignites and the complexities of maintaining sportsmanship amid fierce competition. For more updates on college basketball, visit Filmogaz.com.