In a shocking turn of events, Nicholls State pulled off a stunning 71-69 upset over Texas Rio Grande Valley at the UTRGV Fieldhouse on New Year's Eve. This monumental win for the Colonels, who were ranked 62 spots lower than their opponents in the net rankings, will undoubtedly send ripples through the college basketball landscape. Jalik Dunkley was the catalyst behind Nicholls State's victory, posting an impressive 22 points and 12 rebounds to lead his team to a thrilling comeback.
At halftime, Texas Rio Grande Valley seemed to be in control, holding a 39-35 lead. Jaylen Washington was instrumental in the Vaqueros' strong start, scoring 17 points and dishing out 6 assists throughout the game. However, Nicholls State refused to back down, and their persistence paid off in the second half. The Colonels outscored Texas Rio Grande Valley 36-30 in the final period, with Dunkley's dominant performance proving to be the difference-maker.
Despite a valiant effort from the Vaqueros, who also saw notable contributions from Julien Gomez (16 points, 9 rebounds) and Filip Brankovic (14 points, 5 rebounds), they were unable to withstand Nicholls State's late surge. The Colonels' victory was all the more impressive considering they were facing a team that had a significant advantage in terms of net ranking. Texas Rio Grande Valley's loss will undoubtedly be a tough pill to swallow, especially given that it was a Quadrant 4 game – the lowest level of competition – for the Vaqueros.
On the other hand, this win was a Quadrant 3 victory for Nicholls State, a significant boost to their resume. The Colonels' ability to take down a higher-ranked opponent on the road will undoubtedly catch the attention of tournament selectors. While Nicholls State still has a long way to go to become a serious contender, this upset victory demonstrates that they are a force to be reckoned with. As the season progresses, the Colonels want to build on this momentum and make a push for a postseason berth.
The implications of this result cannot be overstated. For Texas Rio Grande Valley, a loss to a lower-ranked opponent could potentially damage their tournament chances. The Vaqueros must regroup and refocus in order to get their season back on track. Meanwhile, Nicholls State's upset win has significantly enhanced their resume, and they want to capitalize on this momentum in their future games. With this victory, the Colonels have proven that they are capable of competing with – and beating – higher-ranked teams, making them a more formidable opponent in the eyes of tournament selectors.