Rhode Island defeated Providence in college basketball for the first time since 2019 on Saturday. Don’t look now but the Rams stayed undefeated at 9-0 with the win and they might be all of the way back for the first time since the Dan Hurley era.
Unfortunately, the monumental victory was marred by an unfortunate dust-up during the postgame handshake line.
The Friars traveled 31 miles south to face their in-state non-conference rivals in South Kingstown. They completely collapsed during the second half after they took a seven-point lead into the locker room at halftime. Rhode Island out-scored Providence 41-28 during the latter 20 minutes of play and won by six. Offensive rebounds ultimately proved to be the difference and a crucial three-pointer from senior guard Sebastian Thomas put the proverbial nail in the coffin with less than 30 seconds remaining.
MASSIVE 3⃣FOR @RhodyMBB pic.twitter.com/6nXkK2j1eU
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) December 7, 2024
The party was on as soon as the clock hit zero. However, Rams fans did not storm the court.
Rather, they stayed in their seats as tensions boiled over. In the exact moment that head coaches Archie Miller and Kelly English shook hands, their players got after each other’s throats. A scuffle broke out that required immediate attention from the coaches, mid-handshake.
— No Context College Basketball (@ContextFreeCBB) December 7, 2024
Rhode Island did not appreciate how David Fuchs dunked as time expired at the end of the loss.
Post game scuffle from URI vs PC. David Fuchs dunks the ball as time expires, Friars don’t take it lightly.
— A10 Talk (@A10Talk) December 7, 2024
Intense Rivalry game, the Ryan Center was rocking all afternoon🔥
Rams come out on top🐏 pic.twitter.com/anBjMDtSO8
Fans chanted “F— PC” and let boos rain down while the two sides pushed and shoved back and forth. Multiple players from both teams were forcibly restrained. They were eventually separated.
Postgame chippiness pic.twitter.com/DcSur1IgvX
— Brendan McGair (@BWMcGair03) December 7, 2024
One player from the home side would not let it go. He was the last person to be pulled away after repeated attempts to break loose from his coach’s grasp.
Players of Providence and Rhode Island get separated after @RhodyMBB secured the victory over the Friars for the first time since 2019👀
— Cam Iasimone (@camiasimoneTV) December 7, 2024
📸: Emily Liston #GoRhody pic.twitter.com/TbCruQOiPN
All things considered, the brouhaha could’ve been a lot worse than it was. The Rams and the Friars went back to their respective locker rooms before things really got out of hand. No blood was drawn.
Providence will have to wait another year to try and avenge its loss from Saturday. Rhode Island wears the in-state rivalry crown for now!