PHOENIX, Ariz. – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) men's basketball team had their four-game win streak snapped with an 84-71 loss to Grand Canyon University (GCU) on Saturday at the GCU Arena.
 
Senior Nick Dixon led UTRGV (10-9, 2-1 WAC) with 28 points while going 18-of-21 from the free throw line and committing no turnovers. Junior Terry Winn nearly posted a double-double with eight points and nine rebounds. 
 
Roberts Blumbergs led all scorers with 25 points while grabbing eight rebounds. Joshua Braun added 20 points and Keonta Vernon recorded a double-double with 13 points and 15 rebounds.
 
GCU jumped out to the 11-4 lead early in the first period after back-to-back layups by Fiifi Aidoo but UTRGV battled back with a 6-0 run after a layup by junior Johnny Crnogorac and a three-pointer and a free throw by sophomore Lesley Varner Jr. to get within 11-10. 
 
Later in the period, Blumbergs scored five straight points on free throws for GCU as they extended their lead to 31-19, their biggest lead of the half. UTRGV clawed back within four as Dixon and senior Mike Hoffman led a 10-2 run to make it 33-29 before GCU took the 39-29 lead into half time.
 
GCU opened the second half with seven straight points to extend their lead to 46-31 before Dixon knocked in a layup with 17:36 left to play. Dixon went on to score 21 of his 28 points in the second half.
 
Later in the second half, GCU got their largest lead of the night after a couple of free throws by Vernon made it 67-44. UTRGV got within 74-62 with 3:15 left to play after a layup by Dixon but GCU kept the game out of reach.
 
UTRGV returns home to host Utah Valley University on January 18, which is also Back to School and Res Life Night, at the UTRGV Fieldhouse.
 
The first 200 current UTRGV students in attendance will receive an exclusive giveaway while students can also enter a raffle to win a UTRGV gift basket with back-to-school essentials. Doors open at 6 p.m.

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