EDINBURG – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) women's basketball team won its eighth-straight home game dating back to last season by beating Canisius 63-46 on Tuesday at the UTRGV Fieldhouse during day one of the UTRGV Holiday Classic.
 
Already off to the best start in program history, UTRGV (10-4) is now 7-0 at home.
 
Junior Quynne Huggins led UTRGV with 19 points while hitting four three-pointers. Graduate student and Weslaco alum Laura Van Tilburg scored 10 points with eight rebounds.
 
Margret Halfdanardottir led Canisius (2-8) with eight points.
 
Huggins hit a pair of three-pointers and Graham added a three of her own as UTRGV jumped out to an 11-2 lead. UTRGV didn't allow Canisius to hit a basket until the 3:28 mark of the first quarter.
 
After missing its first seven shots, Canisius hit seven of its next 11 to pull within 22-19 midway through the second.
 
Then, with the score 24-21, Huggins nailed a three-pointer to spark a 15-2 run to end the half with UTRGV up 39-23.
 
Canisius got as close as 14 in the middle of the third, but UTRGV closed the quarter on an 11-2 run to go up 57-43 and push the game out of reach.
 
UTRGV closes out the tournament on Wednesday at 7 p.m. against two-time NCAA Champion University of Southern California (USC). Canisius faces Middle Tennessee State at 4:30 p.m.
 
Fans donating a useable coat will receive free general admission to the game. Current UTRGV students, who already receive free admission, will receive a free concession stand item with their donations.
 
All donations benefit Tim's Coats, a non-profit organization that distributes coats to families in need throughout the Rio Grande Valley in conjunction with the Southwest Dry Cleaners Association.
 
Doors open at 3:30.

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