Basketball game descends into chaos with fans brawling in the stands

A college basketball game had to be stopped as a wild brawl broke out in the stands, leaving the commentators stunned.

A wild scene unfolded towards the end of Saint Louis’ college basketball win over VCU on Wednesday (AEDT), as a brawl broke out in the stands with just over a minute left in the game.

The CBS Sports Network broadcast captured the melee right behind the VCU bench with 1:10 left in the second half, with a number of fans involved as security tried to regain control of the situation at Chaifetz Arena.

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There was no clear reason for what started the fight, but the chaos could be seen occurring in the stairwell in a section near the floor and it delayed the game for about seven minutes, the New York Post reports.

At one point, a man with a white moustache appeared to be pushed down by another spectator amid a scrum.

Others could be seen trying to get involved in the situation.

Watch the wild scene in the video player above

An older gentleman tumbled down the seats early in the melee. Photo: X

As the CBS cameras panned away, VCU was huddled away from the bench as team staffers kept an eye on the situation while maintaining a buffer in case the scrap made its way near the players.

“You don’t often see this in college basketball, but there is a heck of a brawl going on in the stands,” began one of the commentators.

“Police officers and security have come over and trying to help almost immediately to slow it all down.

“The players are looking up, the coaches are looking up, people have their cameras out, which in this day and age is not a shock.

“They really are having a tough time making sure this is stopped.”

The players could only stand and watch. Photo: X

The incident unfolded near one end of the court. Photo: X

A fellow commentator added: “Just an ugly ending to a really good game.

“My goodness, we need to get this under control. There’s no place for that in college basketball or any sports venue for that matter.

“We want to make sure we end this (game) with class.

“Let’s get the focus on the game and nothing else.”

At another point in the fracas, a man wearing a blue hoodie was removed from the game.

At several points, as security attempted to remove him, the man stopped to begin yelling at several people.

A separate video of the fight shot by KSDK News appeared to show an “older SLU fan” covered in blood from the fight.

Another view showed the older man covered in blood. Photo: X

The moment was made even wilder by an unseen person who can be heard on the video repeatedly booing loudly before security finally regained control.

In another bizarre moment, someone could clearly be heard shouting “Get out” as Icona Pop’s hit I Love It played over the public address system.

When the match was eventually restarted, Saint Louis came up with a big win over VCU, toppling the Rams 78-69 and moving the Billikens to a 6-2 record in Atlantic 10 play.

This article originally appeared in the New York Post and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as Basketball game descends into chaos with fans brawling in the stands