WASHINGTON, D.C. – Saint Louis rallied late to pull within a possession of the lead in the final minute, but George Washington escaped with a 67-61 Atlantic 10 Conference win Saturday afternoon at the Smith Center in Washington, D.C.

The Billikens fell to 12-8 overall and 5-2 in league play. George Washington improved to 14-6 and 3-4 in the A-10.

Robbie Avila led SLU with 13 points, while Gibson Jimerson chipped in 12 points and pulled down a team-high seven rebounds. Isaiah Swope and Kobe Johnson had 11 points apiece for the Bills.

SLU trailed by 14 at halftime and by as many as 16 in the second half. The Billikens shot 57.1 percent in the second session to chip away at their deficit, and they had a shot to tie it late.

The Billikens manufactured a 9-2 run late in the game to get back into it. Consecutive baskets by Avila, then treys by Swope and Jimerson, had SLU within three of the lead at 64-61.

Swope had a 3-point attempt with 17 seconds left that would have tied the game but it was off the mark, and GW made 3-of-4 free throws down the stretch for the final 67-61 margin.

Saint Louis has two home games next week. The Billikens host VCU on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Chaifetz Arena, then welcome in Dayton for the Billiken Blizzard on Friday at 6 p.m.