NACOGDOCHES – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros men's basketball team fell to the Stephen F. Austin 'Jacks 86-75 on Tuesday at Johnson Coliseum.
 
Junior Justin Johnson led the Vaqueros (5-11, 0-4 WAC) with 20 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Graduate student Xavier Johnson scored 19 points while hitting a season-high tying four three-pointers. Sophomore BJ Simmons scored 10 points with three rebounds. Sophomore Quinton Johnson II finished with nine points and four rebounds.
 
Sadaidriene Hall led the 'Jacks (10-5, 2-1 WAC) with 18 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two steals. Jaylin Jackson-Posey scored 16 points. Calvin Solomon scored 14 points with six rebounds, two assists and three steals. David Kachelries scored 13 points with five rebounds. Latrell Jossell scored 11 points with five assists and two steals.

Xavier Johnson and Quinton Johnson opened the game with three-pointers to put the Vaqueros up 6-0.

The 'Jacks answered with eight-straight points as part of a 21-6 run to go up 21-12 midway through the first half.
 
The Vaqueros and 'Jacks traded baskets for the next few minutes, with the Vaqueros pulling within 27-21 on a free throw by freshman Shavaul Butters. It was Butters' first-career point in his first-career action.
 
A Simmons three brought the Vaqueros within 35-26 before the 'Jacks went on a 10-1 run to go up 45-27 late in the first half.
 
The Vaqueros answered with a 14-2 run over the closing minutes of the first half and opening minutes of the second half to pull within 47-41.
 
The 'Jacks followed by scoring six-straight points as part of an 8-1 run to go up 55-42.
 
The Vaqueros scored the next six points to climb within 55-48 on a Justin Johnson layup with 11:30 remaining.
 
The 'Jacks answered with a 7-0 run to take a 62-48 lead.
 
The Vaqueros pulled within 67-57 on a Simmons three with 6:27 to go.
 
Then, down 75-60, the Vaqueros scored five-straight points as part of a 10-2 run to make the score 77-70 at the two-minute mark.
 
The Vaqueros pulled within 80-75 on a Xavier Johnson three-pointer with 1:09 remaining, but the 'Jacks scored the final six points of the game.
 
UTRGV hosts Chicago State on Thursday at 7 p.m. at the UTRGV Fieldhouse. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at UTRGVTickets.com. The party starts in Vaquero Village at 5:30 p.m. Those unable to attend the game in person can watch in the United States on ESPN+ or internationally on the WAC Digital Network.

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