Tensions tend to escalate in a good rivalry game on the basketball court. Unfortunately, those tempers flaring between No. 8 Virginia State and Elizabeth City State came to a boil that resulted in a brawl between players and fans rushing the court. The images of the brawl overshadowed a close win for Virginia State. The fracas spilled over into the stands, similar to the infamous Detroit Pistons-Indiana Pacers game in Detroit featuring Ron Artest.
The game was played at Virginia State’s multipurpose arena and various video clips surfacing online seem to show only players from Elizabeth City exchanging blows with others. What led to the brawl is still unknown
Well Damn #VSU pic.twitter.com/0DO4X70IOx
— Juice Man La Flare (@Flexx_shawty) January 25, 2018
Here is another view of the action from the floor level behind the basketball net as the brawl carried over into the stands.
My school getting out of hand #vsu pic.twitter.com/QTaA9mBy4Z
— Big Dee (@BigDreams_99) January 25, 2018
Despite the hashtag used in the above tweet, it was ECSU players shown fighting in the stands. However, they were apparently fighting with VSU students.
Yes congratulations to VSU men's basketball team, but shame on those that attacked ECSU men's basketball team
— melissa b (@melissa54956200) January 25, 2018
Somebody Told Me It Was ECSU Basketball Team Against VSU Student Body ??
— 50ShadesOfGay.?️? (@TheLifeOf_Jayy) January 25, 2018
So I heard that ECSU started it.. because a VSU student didn’t like the fact that a VSU student on the floor seats was talking mess. On top of that.. ECSU lost.. and they brawled. But, you didn’t hear it from me. ? pic.twitter.com/7L6qTIoPoW
— B. Armáni (@LouieBeeee) January 25, 2018
Questions will be raised about the level of security at the game, but you can be sure the next game between these two rivals will see some form of increased security.
ECSU Student when VSU team bus roll on campus on the 17th pic.twitter.com/Wh7JslRqYJ
— Bobby Boucher (@iUsed2bFamous) January 25, 2018
Without knowing exactly how it all started, we can probably all agree that verbal jabs from fans in the stands will always be in play for the road team in any sporting event ever, but there should be a fine line between the heckling and doing or saying anything that leads to a brawl at the end of a night.