Saint Louis' Robbie Avila drains game-winning 3-pointer as historic season continues

Avila's clutch shot extends Billikens' winning streak to 14 games

Jan. 28, 2026 at 2:15am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Robbie Avila, a senior center for the Saint Louis Billikens, hit a game-winning 3-pointer with just 3 seconds left to give his team a 79-76 victory over George Washington. The win extends Saint Louis' impressive winning streak to 14 games as they continue their historic season. Avila, who has overcome early career setbacks, is leading the charge for the Billikens as they aim to reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 7 years.

Why it matters

Saint Louis basketball is enjoying its best start ever at 20-1, with its only loss coming against a tough Stanford team. The Billikens are looking to end their NCAA Tournament drought and make a deep run in March Madness, and Avila's heroics have them firmly in the national spotlight as a mid-major to watch.

The details

In the closing seconds against George Washington, Avila took advantage of the defense collapsing and hit a clutch 3-pointer to give Saint Louis the lead. He then sealed the win by intercepting the Revolutionaries' final heave. Avila, who transferred from Indiana State, has been a driving force behind the Billikens' historic season, averaging 22 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals per game.

  • On January 28, 2026, Robbie Avila hit the game-winning 3-pointer against George Washington.
  • Saint Louis is currently 20-1 on the season and riding a 14-game winning streak.

The players

Robbie Avila

A senior center for the Saint Louis Billikens who transferred from Indiana State. He has been a key driver of the team's historic season, leading them in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals.

Josh Schertz

The head coach of the Saint Louis Billikens, who previously coached Avila at Indiana State.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Robbie Avila is more than just a viral sensation. People assigned the bespectacled center funny nicknames like Cream Abdul-Jabbar and Larry Nerd during the 2023-24 season, but make no mistake, he is a skilled basketball player and fierce competitor.”

— Alex House, Author

“When 32-win Indiana State fell devastatingly short against Seton Hall in the 2024 NIT championship, Avila was hunched over in visible anguish. Opposing head coach Shaheen Holloway raised the young athlete's head and offered him some words of encouragement. While it was a heartfelt gesture, that pain still fuels Robbie Avila today.”

— Alex House, Author

What’s next

The Billikens will defend their undefeated A-10 record against Dayton (14-7) this Friday night.

The takeaway

Robbie Avila's heroics have propelled the Saint Louis Billikens to new heights, as they continue their historic season and look to end their NCAA Tournament drought. The mid-major darling's determination and clutch play have made him a rising star, and the Billikens a team to watch as March Madness approaches.