KINGSTON, R.I. — Rhode Island's Jonah Hinton scored a game-high 29 points to lead the Rams past No. 18 Saint Louis 81-76 on Tuesday night at the Ryan Center, snapping the Billikens' 18-game winning streak.

Saint Louis (24-2, 12-1 Atlantic 10) cut a late eight-point deficit to one in the final 30 seconds, but the Rams sealed the win at the free-throw line, hitting four straight foul shots in the final 24 seconds to post the upset win.

Robbie Avila led Saint Louis with 21 points, while Dion Brown scored 19 on 8-of-10 shooting. Amari McCottry chipped in 10 points for the Billikens, who committed 18 turnovers that led to 28 Rhode Island points.

It was just the second loss of the season for the Billikens and the first since Nov. 28. 

Rhode Island took a 43-37 lead into halftime behind eight first-half 3-pointers and extended the margin to eight midway through the second half. Saint Louis answered with a late surge, pulling within 68-67 on a Trey Green 3-pointer with 5:44 remaining and again within one at 77-76 on Avila's putback with 29 seconds left.

But free throw struggles doomed the Bills, missing the front end of three one-and-one opportunities down the stretch.

The Billikens are back in action on Friday night, hosting the VCU Rams at Chaifetz Arena for the annual Billiken Blue Out. Game time on ESPN2 is set for 6 p.m. CT.