Pistons snap Hornets' 9-game streak with 110-104 win in game marred by fight, ejections

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Cade Cunningham had 33 points and nine rebounds, and the Detroit Pistons hung on to beat Charlotte 110-104 on Monday night, snapping the Hornets' nine-game winning streak in a wild game that included a fight and four player ejections.

Charlotte coach Charles Lee was also ejected after having to be restrained from going after an official while arguing a no-call in the fourth quarter.

Duncan Robinson scored 18 points for the Pistons and Jalen Duren added 15 before being ejected when he ignited the brawl by hitting Moussa Diabate with an open right hand in the third quarter.

Brandon Miller scored 24 points for the Hornets, while LaMelo Ball and Kon Knueppel each had 20.

Midway through the third quarter Duren was driving toward the basket when he was fouled by Diabate. Duren got face-to-face with Diabate and the two appeared to butt heads. Duren then hit Diabate in the face with his open right hand, igniting a confrontation that lasted more than 30 seconds.

While Pistons forward Tobias Harris was holding Diabate back, Diabate threw a punch at Duren. Duren walked away and Bridges charged at him, throwing a left-handed punch. Duren retaliated with a punch. Diabate attempted to charge again at Duren and had to be held back. Isaiah Stewart left the bench to confront Bridges, who responded with a punch, and the players tussled.

Diabate, Bridges, Duren and Stewart were ejected.

The ejections elevated an already intense crowd to a new level in a physical game. In the fourth quarter, Lee was ejected after having to be restrained by Miller from going after an official after his player, Grant Williams, collided with Detroit's Paul Reed.

Charlotte cut the lead to four with one minute remaining, but Miller and Knueppel missed 3s on the same possession.

Tobias Harris' jumper put the Pistons up by six with 40 seconds left.

Ball's driving layup cut the lead to four with 17 seconds left, but Cunningham hit two free throws with 10 seconds left to seal the win.

Coby White, acquired by Charlotte last week in a trade with Chicago, sat out his third straight game with a strained calf. White said before the game he has been dealing with it the entire year, but it is progressing well.

Pelicans: At Milwaukee on Wednesday.

Hornets: At Houston on Thursday.

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Charlotte Hornets and Detroit Pistons coaches and security try to break up a fight during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Charlotte Hornets forward Moussa Diabate is held back as he fights with Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel (7) looks to pass the ball against Detroit Pistons forward Isaiah Stewart, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) drives against Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Charlotte Hornets forward Moussa Diabate, front right, is held back as he fights with Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) fight during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

NEW YORK (AP) — Zuby Ejiofor scored six of his 25 points in overtime and No. 17 St. John's outlasted pesky Xavier 87-82 on Monday night at Madison Square Garden for its 10th consecutive victory.

With his 904th career win on the court, Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino passed Roy Williams for third place in Division I history behind Mike Krzyzewski (1,202) and Jim Boeheim (1,116).

It was Pitino's second victory in 17 days over his son, Richard, the first-year coach of the Musketeers. In the previous meeting, the elder Pitino earned his 900th win when the Johnnies rallied from a 16-point deficit in the second half for an 88-83 victory at Xavier.

Bryce Hopkins added 19 points and nine rebounds for the Red Storm (19-5, 12-1 Big East), who won for the 15th time in 17 games and tied No. 6 UConn atop the conference standings.

St. John’s was coming off a rousing win Friday night at The Garden over the rival Huskies.

Dylan Darling had 16 points off the bench for the Johnnies. Ejiofor also provided seven rebounds and five assists, including a pass to Oziyah Sellers for the breakaway dunk that sealed it with 7 seconds left in OT.

St. John's went 28 for 41 (68%) at the free-throw line, its most foul shots since taking 44 against Lehigh in November 2011. A trio of Xavier players fouled out in overtime — on three straight defensive possessions.

Tre Carroll, the Big East's leading scorer, had 21 points and eight rebounds for the Musketeers (12-12, 4-9), who have lost five of six and eight of 11.

Sellers tipped in his own miss with 16 seconds remaining in regulation to tie it at 78, and Carroll missed a wild 3-point attempt at the buzzer.

Rick Pitino improved to 5-1 in coaching matchups against his son. Fathers are 21-3 overall in such Division I games.

Xavier hosts Marquette on Saturday, after dropping their first meeting this season 66-65 on Jan. 7.

St. John’s visits Providence on Saturday looking to avenge its last loss, 77-71 on Jan. 3 at MSG.

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St. John's forward Bryce Hopkins (23) dunks as Xavier's forward Filip Borovicanin (4) reacts during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)