Bryant punched its first NCAA Tournament ticket, but not before a huge brawl broke out in the stands
Play was suspended for more than 30 minutes in the second half of Tuesday night's NEC tournament championship game after a brawl between fans of Bryant and Wagner in the stands of Bryant's Chase Athletic Center. Punches were being thrown in the fight and at least one drink was weaponized.
Both teams were sent to their respective locker rooms, while police and officials sorted out the situation and before the game started at least one fan was thrown out of the building and the No. 1 seed Bryant took his place on the No. 2 seed. Completed a 70-43 victory. Wagner to earn a trip to the NCAA Tournament.
When play was halted due to a fight in the stands behind Wagner's bench, Bryant was in control of 68–32 with 4:37 in the game. No players were involved, but Wagner's Will Martin was kicked out for trying to leave the bench and charge into the stands. The situation quickly got worse after he was stopped by teammates and the players saw what was happening.
WHOA pic.twitter.com/yyUJ6meuT0
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) March 9, 2022
WHOA pic.twitter.com/yyUJ6meuT0
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) March 9, 2022
Returning to the court, the teams kept it decent, but with 2.6 seconds remaining, officials declared the game over so that the court could storm it for Bryant's fans.
Bryant won the regular season by one game over Wagner and went on to win 13 of his last 14 games to close the regular season. As the No. 1 seed in the NEC tournament, Mount dreaded the semi-final against St. Mary's, surviving a 70–69 victory on Saturday, but sent a statement with the win and punched his first ticket to the big dance at Division I level. .