No. 18 Saint Louis loses 81-76 at Rhode Island, ending 18-game win streak

Jonah Hinton's 29 points, including 9 three-pointers, led Rhode Island to the upset victory.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In a surprising upset, the unranked Rhode Island Rams defeated the 18th-ranked Saint Louis Billikens 81-76, snapping Saint Louis' impressive 18-game winning streak. Jonah Hinton led the way for Rhode Island with 29 points, including 9 three-pointers, while Robbie Avila scored 21 points for Saint Louis. The loss drops the Billikens to 24-2 overall and 12-1 in Atlantic 10 conference play.

Why it matters

Saint Louis had been one of the hottest teams in college basketball, with the second-longest active winning streak in the country. This loss ends that impressive run and deals a blow to their hopes of securing a high seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. For Rhode Island, the upset victory over a ranked opponent is a significant boost to their own postseason aspirations.

The details

Rhode Island led for 36 minutes in the game and never trailed by more than a few points. Hinton was the star, connecting on 9 of his 13 three-point attempts. Saint Louis committed 18 turnovers and struggled to slow down Hinton and the Rhode Island offense. The Billikens had a chance to tie the game in the final seconds but missed two three-point attempts.

  • The game was played on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.

The players

Jonah Hinton

A Rhode Island player who scored 29 points, including 9 three-pointers, to lead his team to the upset victory.

Robbie Avila

The leading scorer for Saint Louis with 21 points in the losing effort.

Dion Brown

A Saint Louis player who added 19 points in the loss.

Myles Corey

A Rhode Island player who scored 15 points and went 11-for-11 from the free throw line.

Tyler Cochran

A Rhode Island player who scored 11 points and sealed the victory with two late free throws.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

The takeaway

This loss ends Saint Louis' impressive 18-game winning streak and is a significant setback to their hopes of securing a high seed in the NCAA Tournament. For Rhode Island, the upset victory over a ranked opponent is a major boost to their own postseason aspirations.