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VCU-Saint Louis delay: Fight breaks out in crowd, halts chaotic end to A-10 game

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•01/28/25•

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A fight in the stands during Saint Louis vs. VCU
Screenshot courtesy of @SeanPaulCBB/X

As time ticked away in Tuesday’s Saint Louis vs. VCU game, things got crazy. A fight broke out in the stands behind the VCU bench, leading to a lengthy delay at Chaifetz Arena.

Max Shulga had just hit a three-pointer to cut the Saint Louis lead to 69-63 with 1:14 to go. From there, the whistles started to blow as punches flew in the stands. The melee spilled into the front row as fans ended up standing behind the media table while security worked to break things up.

All told, it resulted in a roughly 10-minute delay as the two teams returned to their huddles. It was unclear what started the fracas, which unfolded a few rows up from the bench. Saint Louis went on to seal the victory to tighten things up even more in the A-10.

VCU got into foul trouble during Tuesday’s game against Saint Louis. Three Rams fouled out and Jack Clark ended his night with four fouls. The two teams also combined to shoot 53 free throws on the night as SLU came away with the 78-69 win to improve to 13-8 overall and 6-2 in Atlantic 10 play.

Gibson Jimerson led the way for the Billikens on Tuesday with 26 points on 8-of-16 shooting to go with a 7-for-10 showing from the free throw line. Kobe Johnson was also impressive with 19 points and six rebounds to help lead the charge.

On the VCU side, all three players who fouled out – Shulga, Phillip Russell and Zeb Jackson – were the only Rams to reach double figures. Russell and Jackson had 15 points apiece while Shulga had 14. VCU struggled mightily from the field, shooting just 32.8% despite taking 67 shots on the night. That was 24 more than Saint Louis took.

Both teams remain toward the top of the A-10 standings as February quickly approaches. They’re now a half-game behind George Mason for first place, and the Patriots will take on Loyola Chicago on Wednesday with a chance to keep some separation. A loss to the Ramblers would create a three-way tie atop the standings as the calendar gets ready to flip.

VCU will now get ready to take on Richmond on Saturday. As for Saint Louis, the Billikens will stay home to take on Dayton in a “FridA-10” standalone matchup.