The latest chapter between the St. John’s Red Storm and Providence Friars will be remembered less for the final score and more for the chaos that unfolded midway through the second half.
St. John’s secured a 79-69 win, improving to 13-1 in Big East play and extending its winning streak to 11 games. But the game’s defining moment came when a hard foul by Providence’s Duncan Powell on Red Storm forward Bryce Hopkins ignited a heated confrontation.
Hopkins, a former Friar, quickly rose to confront Powell. Both benches spilled onto the floor as officials attempted to restore order. It took 19 minutes to review the play and assess penalties. In total, six players were ejected — Powell and Jaylin Sellers for Providence, along with Dillon Mitchell, Kelvin Odih, Ruben Prey and Sadiku Ibine Ayo for St. John’s.
Afterward, head coach Rick Pitino addressed the incident in his postgame press conference.
“I think you saw it as well as me, but I didn’t have the film in front of me to look at everybody,” Pitino said. “You’re not supposed to come off the bench (as a coach), but you can’t let your players get beat up.”
Later in the game, tensions flared again when Providence’s Jamier Jones appeared to shove St. John’s center Zuby Ejiofor on a layup attempt.
Pitino also commented on the atmosphere inside the arena.
“And look, it was a tough game to officiate,” Pitino continued. “Certainly, the crowd, I think, lost objectivity of what they’re here for. If they’re just here to poke fun at Bryce Hopkins and not get a win for the Friars, that’s not the Friars I remember in ’87.”
Fallout and What’s Next
Despite the altercation, St. John’s maintained control and closed out the victory. Notably, Hopkins remained in the game and did not receive a foul for confronting Powell after the initial contact.
Whether internal discipline follows remains unclear. Pitino did not specify any immediate consequences for his players.
The Red Storm now shift focus to a road matchup against Marquette Golden Eagles on Wednesday. Providence will travel to face DePaul Blue Demons next Saturday.
For now, the Big East standings reflect another St. John’s win. But the images from the fracas will linger far longer than the final margin.
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