PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The nasty chants were nothing compared to the in-game fireworks.
Bryce Hopkins’ return to Providence was as venom-filled as expected in the crowd — there were several “f–k Bryce Hopkins” jeers – and it spilled onto the Amica Pavilion Arena floor.
Early in the second half, a fight broke out after Duncan Powell took down Hopkins on a breakaway, leading to six ejections.
Later, Providence’s Jamier Jones was thrown out for pushing Zuby Ejiofor from behind.
Unlike the first encounter, though, the 17th-ranked Johnnies were tougher amid adversity.
They didn’t break. They didn’t fold. They were dominant after the stoppage, reeling off their 11th straight victory, 79-69, to notch their 20th win for a third straight season.
The victory also marked a program record 10th consecutive Big East road victory.
Dylan Darling was pivotal, scoring 16 of his 23 points over the final 14:25 as his importance continues to grow. Ejiofor added 14 points and Oziyah Sellers had 11.
Hopkins tallied nine points and nine rebounds.
With 14:25 left, Hopkins was clotheslined on a breakaway drive by Powell, and a fracas broke out, as Hopkins got up and shoved Powell. Powell appeared to take a swing at Dillon Mitchell.
After a lengthy review, several players were ejected. Powell and Providence star Jaylin Sellers, Mitchell and Kelvin Odih, Ruben Prey and Sadiku Ibine Ayo from St. John’s. The latter three were thrown out for leaving the bench.
Providence fans voiced their support of Powell’s cheap shot, chanting his name as he walked off the court.
After the delay, St. John’s scored eight straight points to turn a one-point deficit into a seven-point lead. The lead went into double figures after a Joson Sanon follow slam. St. John’s extended it to 13 with less than five minutes to go.
The game started like the first one, St. John’s coming out on fire. It led 10-2 and was up 25-12 less than halfway through the period after consecutive 3-pointers from Darling and Sanon.
The rest of the half was shaky. St. John’s was minus-nine on the glass, settled for way too many jump shots and led Providence creep within five at halftime.
The Red Storm were particularly good in the open court, scoring 15 transition points, and forced nine turnovers. But they had scoring droughts of 4:45 and 2:03, which enabled Providence to stay close, and only attempted five free throws.
Providence was ahead, and was outplaying St. John’s early in the second half. Then Powell went after Hopkins, play was halted, and the Johnnies responded as they have since that first Providence loss.
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