Thousands of disappointed Rams fans jammed onto Broad Street after Virginia Commonwealth University's loss in the Final Four on Saturday night, with some setting off fireworks, starting small fires and throwing bottles.
But despite scattered violence, the students mostly just wanted to keep cheering on their team after the basketball season of a lifetime came to a close.
It was more a celebratory crowd than a disheartened one that converged from viewing parties around campus and ended up concentrated on Broad Street between Laurel and Shafer streets.
"People are out, and they're happy because VCU's on the map," said freshman Lois Wilkerson as she watched students posing for pictures in front of a row of state police officers in riot gear at Broad and Shafer.
Police kept the crowds mostly under control, but violence flared. A police-car window was broken out, a street sign was pulled up and thrown in front of the police, and wooden pallets were set ablaze.
Police launched smoke and what appeared to be pepper spray into the crowd, sending throngs of students fleeing down Laurel.
On West Grace Street a block from campus, glass bottles were thrown off balconies as people walked passed. Pallets were set on fire on the street, and dozens danced around the fire to a drum beat while more bottles were broken. Cars turned around in the street to avoid the fire, while others used their cellphones to film the destruction, during the more than 10 minutes it took police to arrive.
John Deane, a junior journalism major who saw two small fires that were set on the 1100 block of West Grace Street, said police responded appropriately as fire crews extinguished the blazes.
Jeremy Codiroli, 20, a sophomore, said the crowd began picking up bricks in an alley off Laurel, breaking them apart on the street and throwing them at police.
"It's kind of dumb people had to react like this," Codiroli said. He and three friends, who were leaving his dorm on Broad, complimented police for a measured response.
However, he said, he doesn't think the students' response would have been as violent if police hadn't been outfitted in riot gear.
But he added, "It's not like people are justified at throwing bricks at police."
Police were more prepared for Saturday's crowds as a result of last week's game, when students blocked Broad Street and jumped on cars.
Richmond Police Chief Bryan T. Norwood stood at the back of the Siegel Center, where about 1,500 students gathered to cheer the Rams, while on the street dozens of Richmond and Virginia State Police wearing face shields lined up.
A state police helicopter flew overhead and could be heard inside the arena. Four police officers on horseback were stationed on Broad, which was blocked off from Lombardy to Belvidere streets. Parts of Grace and Main streets were also shut down.
Police had hoped to funnel the crowd to Monroe Park, but the students chose instead to head to Broad.
"We want them to celebrate and rejoice," state police Capt. Steve Chumley said as a line of officers marched down Shaffer. "But certainly we want them to celebrate in safety."
Decked out in a bright yellow wig with Rams stickers on his cheeks, senior Hussain Alfadhli stood on Broad after the game recounting the heartbreak of making it this far, only to lose in the Final Four.
"I'm crying from inside," he said.
The Siegel Center was filled to only about half capacity. Among students who chose to watch it there was Maria Reyes, a 17-year-old freshman from Venezuela, wearing a yellow T-shirt with yellow Converse All Star shoes she bought for the game.
"It's amazing," she said. Before coming to VCU, "I didn't know basketball, but now I love it."
VCU's loss didn't lessen fans' appreciation for the team. "We love our Rams. We love you guys," shouted senior Katie Paucar at the Shafer Dining Center, where about 200 students watched the game.
"We came so far. We still have heart, and we're still proud," said freshman Destiny Anderson.
"It's definitely our moment," agreed freshman Jovia Keys. "I'm happy to be part of this."
Viewing parties had started early in the evening across Richmond in private homes and bars, and in some unexpected spots as well.
"The symphony people are way ahead of the game," said Shirley Goplerud, arriving at the Carpenter Theatre with her husband, Dean, both appropriately attired in "carefully chosen" black and gold.
They came early to watch the pre-game show on a big screen set up on the stage where classical musical superstar Evelyn Glennie would later give the post-game show.
Longtime Rams fans — he taught for 25 years at MCV — the Gopleruds said they would not have missed the concert, but they were happy the symphony delayed the start so that they didn't have to miss any of the game.
Across Broad Street, The National accommodated fans as well with a viewing party before Limelight, a Rush tribute band, was to play.
About 1,200 people had bought tickets to watch the game there, and not all were expected to stay for the concert, said manager Mark Crabtree.
"I didn't know there was a concert afterwards," said Derek Heilmann, wearing a VCU flag draped on his back. A 2008 graduate, he had driven down from Northern Virginia to watch the game with fellow alumni because, he said, "Who knows when this will happen again."
VCU senior nursing students Beth Walker, Kristina Holthus, Andrea Howard and Ashley Mangus — their faces painted in various Ram themes — weren't there for the concert either.
"If we win, we're taking it to the streets," Walker said before the game started.
Closer to campus, fans staked out spots in bars several hours before game time. The Village Café on Grace Street brought in five extra televisions, hooked up surround sound and made special pint glasses.
"I've never really seen Richmond react to something like this," said owner Herb Rueger.
"It's unbelievable," said son Josh Rueger.
Jessica Matthews and Ben Lazarus drove down from Washington for the night to "soak it in," Lazarus said.
After hitting the campus bookstore, they landed a prime booth seat at Village Cafe.
Matthews, a 2006 alumna, said she booked a Richmond hotel room for Saturday night immediately after the Rams advanced to the Final Four. She said she just wanted to "experience the pandemonium," especially if the team had won.
Lazarus attended Michigan, but said now he's a fan of the Rams, too. "How could you not love the team?" he asked.
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