Texas Rio Grande Valley Holds Off SE Louisiana 68-65

Marvin McGhee III stole the show at UTRGV Fieldhouse, posting 19 points and 11 rebounds to propel Texas Rio Grande Valley to a 68-65 victory over Southeastern Louisiana. The win marked a solid performance by the Vaqueros, who led by as many as 7 points in the second half before withstanding a late push from the Lions. At halftime, Texas Rio Grande Valley held a narrow 31-29 advantage, setting the stage for a back-and-forth second half.

McGhee III's dominance was matched by Southeastern Louisiana's Jeremy Elyzee, who scored 14 points to pace the Lions. However, it was McGhee III's all-around effort that was the difference-maker. His 11 rebounds helped Texas Rio Grande Valley control the boards, and his scoring prowess allowed the Vaqueros to maintain a slim lead throughout the second half. Koree Cotton and Filip Brankovic also chipped in with 15 and 13 points, respectively, to support McGhee III's strong outing.

CHD Scout's pre-game prediction had Texas Rio Grande Valley winning by 7.6 points, and while the actual margin was narrower, the prediction ultimately proved correct. The Vaqueros' victory was a reflection of their resilience, as they weathered a late surge from the Lions to emerge with the win. Isaiah Gaines and Jaiden Lawrence contributed 13 and 11 points, respectively, for Southeastern Louisiana, but it wasn't enough to overcome McGhee III's stellar performance.

As the season wears on, victories like this one matters for Texas Rio Grande Valley's tournament chances. This win, classified as a Q4 victory, may not carry significant weight in the Vaqueros' resume, but it does demonstrate their ability to close out games against inferior opponents. For Southeastern Louisiana, the loss represents a Q3 defeat, which won't significantly harm their resume but does highlight the challenges they face against more talented teams.

The implications of this result are clear: Texas Rio Grande Valley needs to continue racking up wins, particularly against stronger opponents, to bolster their tournament credentials. While this victory won't single-handedly propel them into the postseason conversation, it does show that they can take care of business against teams they're expected to beat. As the Vaqueros move forward, they'll need to build on this performance and secure more meaningful wins to make a lasting impact on the college basketball landscape.