HAMMOND, La. – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros men's basketball team picked up the wire-to-wire 96-75 win over the Southeastern Louisiana University Lions on Saturday at the University Center.
The Vaqueros (16-12, 12-7 SLC) shot 62% (31-50) from the floor while shooting 57% (16-28) from three-point range and 95% (18-19) from the free throw line. UTRGV finished with 16 three-pointers, marking the 12
th game where they finish with 10 or more three-pointers made and also recorded their ninth game of 20 or more assists with 22 against the Lions.
Junior
Koree Cotton scored 18 points from 6-of-9 shooting, including 4-of-6 from three-point range. Junior
Filip Brankovic score 18 points on 6-of-7 shooting with three assists. Graduate student
Marvin McGhee III scored 17 points behind five three-pointers. Sophomore
Dane Christensen scored 12 points while sophomore
Jaylen Washington added 10 points with four assists.
The Lions (8-20, 5-14 SLC) got a game-high 24 points from Isaiah Gaines as he also grabbed seven rebounds. Peter Hemschemeier scored 11 points while Jeremy Elyzee added 10 points.
The Vaqueros got going early with the three-ball as McGhee III and Brankovic knocked down back-to-back three-pointers to open the scoring. The Lions got within one after an Elyzee layup, but Christensen and McGhee III made a couple of three-pointers to give UTRGV the 18-11 lead.
After a layup from Jalen Forrest that got the Lions within 18-13, the Vaqueros used a 21-4 run that featured three three-pointers that helped the Vaqueros push their lead to 39-17 with 3:41 left in the half. UTRGV finished with eight three-pointers in the half as they took the 46-26 lead into halftime.
In the second half, the Vaqueros countered any Lions comeback attempt as they used eight three-pointers to maintain their lead. Graduate student
Zae Blake knocked down the half's first three-pointer to make it 59-39 and then McGhee III knocked down back-to-back three-pointers to make it 65-45.
Later a Christensen three-pointer following a dunk from graduate student
Kwo Agwa made it 70-47. Agwa finished the game with eight points, four rebounds, and four assists.
Cotton pushed UTRGV's lead to 81-58 with a three-pointer with 7:30 left to play and then redshirt senior
Jalen Ricks started and ended an 8-0 run with three-pointers to give UTRGV their biggest lead of the night at 96-68 to put the game away.
The Vaqueros close out their road slate on Monday when they visit McNeese at 6:30 p.m. at Townsly Law Arena.
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