East Texas A&M pulled off a stunning upset at The Field House, taking down Texas Rio Grande Valley 77-69 in a non-conference showdown. The victory marked a significant upset, as East Texas A&M, with a record of 8-13 and a net ranking of 273, took down a Texas Rio Grande Valley team that boasts a 10-11 record and a net ranking of 169. This win will undoubtedly send shockwaves through the college basketball landscape, as East Texas A&M proved they can hang with teams above their pay grade.
The game got off to a blistering start, with East Texas A&M dominating the first half and taking a 42-33 lead into the break. Ronnie Harrison led the charge, scoring 18 points and grabbing 7 rebounds on the night. His performance was complemented by Gianni Hunt's 13 points and 10 assists, as well as Noah Pagotto's 12 points and 11 rebounds. Texas Rio Grande Valley's Filip Brankovic did his best to keep his team in the game, scoring 16 points and hauling in 7 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit.
In the second half, Texas Rio Grande Valley made a push to get back in the game, outscoring East Texas A&M 36-35. However, the damage had already been done, and East Texas A&M's strong first half was the difference. Marvin McGhee III and Julien Gomez chipped in with 14 and 13 points, respectively, for Texas Rio Grande Valley, but their efforts were ultimately for naught.
The loss is a significant blow to Texas Rio Grande Valley's tournament resume, as they fell to a team ranked well below them. On the other hand, the win is a massive boost for East Texas A&M, who picked up a Quadrant 4 victory. While it may not be the most prestigious win, it's a victory nonetheless, and one that will help East Texas A&M build momentum as they head into the latter half of their season.
This result will have real consequences for both teams' tournament chances. For Texas Rio Grande Valley, the loss will be a Quadrant 4 defeat, which could hurt their chances of making a deep run in the postseason. Meanwhile, East Texas A&M's win, although a Quadrant 4 victory, will help them build a stronger resume and potentially set them up for a stronger finish to the season. As the season wears on, this upset win will be a crucial part of East Texas A&M's tournament profile, and one that could make all the difference in their quest for a postseason berth.