Saint Louis Billikens edge Virginia Commonwealth Rams in A-10 showdown

No. 19 Saint Louis holds off VCU's late rally to win at home

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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The No. 19 Saint Louis Billikens defeated the Virginia Commonwealth Rams 79-73 in an Atlantic-10 Conference matchup at Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis, Missouri. Saint Louis overcame a late push from VCU to pick up the home victory and hand the Rams their third loss of the season.

Why it matters

This game featured two of the top teams in the A-10 conference, with Saint Louis looking to bounce back from its first conference loss of the season. The win keeps the Billikens in the hunt for the regular season conference title, while VCU missed an opportunity to gain ground in the standings.

The details

Saint Louis was led by center Robbie Avila, who had 21 points and 5 rebounds. The Billikens also got a big game from guard Jonah Hinton, who hit 9 three-pointers and finished with 27 points. For VCU, six players scored in double figures, led by Tyrell Ward's 15 points off the bench. The Rams made a late push to get back in the game, but Saint Louis was able to hold on for the victory.

  • The game was played on Friday, February 20, 2026 at 7 p.m. ET.
  • Saint Louis suffered its first conference loss of the season on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

The players

Robbie Avila

The starting center for the Saint Louis Billikens, Avila had 21 points and 5 rebounds in the win.

Jonah Hinton

The Saint Louis guard hit 9 three-pointers and scored a game-high 27 points.

Tyrell Ward

The VCU guard led the Rams with 15 points off the bench in the losing effort.

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What they’re saying

“We knew VCU would make a run at us, but our guys stepped up and made the plays we needed down the stretch to get the win.”

— Travis Ford, Saint Louis Head Coach (usatoday.com)

“We fought hard, but Saint Louis was just a little too much for us tonight. We'll learn from this and get ready for the next one.”

— Mike Rhoades, VCU Head Coach (usatoday.com)

What’s next

The win keeps Saint Louis in the hunt for the A-10 regular season title, while VCU will look to bounce back in its next conference matchup.

The takeaway

This game showcased the depth and talent of both the Saint Louis and VCU programs, as they continue to be two of the top teams in the Atlantic-10 Conference. The Billikens' ability to withstand VCU's late rally demonstrated their poise and experience, which could serve them well as they push for a high seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.