Texas Rio Grande Valley claimed a decisive 96-75 victory over Southeastern Louisiana at the University Center, widening the gap by 21 points. The first half scores, with Texas Rio Grande Valley leading 46-26, suggested an early assertion of control, while the second half saw Southeastern Louisiana's output increase but still trail by 24 points at 50-26.
The outcome underscores a significant disparity between the two teams, with Texas Rio Grande Valley's 141 NET ranking standing in stark contrast to Southeastern Louisiana's 294 NET ranking. The 21-point margin of victory ultimately reflected a substantial difference in performance between the two teams.
Filip Brankovic's performance was a well-rounded effort, as he scored 18 points on 86% shooting from the field and 71% from three-point range. He also chipped in with 3 assists and 3 rebounds, demonstrating his ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game. His high shooting efficiency was a key factor in the team's success.
Koree Cotton and Marvin McGhee III also played significant roles in the victory. Cotton scored 18 points on 67% shooting from the field and 67% from three-point range, with 4 made three-pointers serving as a catalyst for the team's offense. McGhee III added 17 points, with 5 three-pointers making up the majority of his scoring. His shooting efficiency from beyond the arc was particularly impressive, as he made 63% of his attempts.
Isaiah Gaines' 24-point performance was a bright spot for SE Louisiana, but ultimately fell short in the context of the team's overall defeat. His 7 rebounds and 2 assists provided some balance to his scoring, but his efficiency was not consistent, shooting 57.1% from the field and 50% from three-point range. Gaines' 1 block was a rare defensive highlight in a game where the Lions were outpaced by their opponents.
Peter Hemschemeier struggled to find his footing, shooting just 37.5% from the field and 37.5% from three-point range. His 3 three-pointers made were a season high, but his 8 attempts were also a season high, indicating a lack of precision in his shooting. Jeremy Elyzee's 10 points were a modest contribution, but his lack of assists and 2-4 free throw shooting limited his overall impact.
Dane Christensen's performance marked a significant departure from his season averages, as he nearly quadrupled his scoring output and increased his rebounding and assists totals by substantial margins. Christensen's efficiency from the field, including a perfect 4-for-4 shooting performance from both the field and beyond the arc, suggests that his breakout game was not merely a result of volume shooting. His ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities and contribute across the board will be worth monitoring moving forward. In contrast, CJ Booker's statistical upswing was largely driven by his exceptional playmaking, as he nearly doubled his season average in assists while failing to significantly increase his scoring or rebounding totals. This dichotomy highlights Booker's growing importance as a playmaker, but also underscores the need for him to diversify his contributions to become a more well-rounded threat.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
The pre-game prediction of a 9.1-point victory for Texas Rio Grande Valley ultimately came to fruition, with the team emerging victorious by 21 points. While the final margin exceeded expectations, the underlying trends that contributed to the outcome were evident in the team's performance.
The decisive factors in this contest were Texas Rio Grande Valley's dominant shooting efficiency and their ability to capitalize on SE Louisiana's struggles from beyond the arc. The Vaqueros' 78.0% effective field goal percentage was a staggering 24.9% higher than their season average, indicating a particularly impressive display of shooting prowess. Conversely, SE Louisiana's 23.5% three-point shooting percentage was a full 5.1% below their season average, suggesting a missed opportunity for the Lions to find their rhythm from beyond the arc.
The outcome of this game holds significant implications for both teams' NCAA Tournament resumes. For Texas Rio Grande Valley, the win brings a much-needed boost to their NET ranking, but it does little to improve their Quad 1-2 record, which remains a concern. Given their NET position, the Vaqueros are likely to be a No. 16 seed in the tournament, and this win will not significantly alter their seeding prospects. Meanwhile, SE Louisiana's loss further erodes their NCAA Tournament chances, as they now find themselves with a NET ranking that is likely to keep them out of the bracket altogether. This defeat also compounds their Quad 2 woes, making it increasingly unlikely that they will be able to secure a bid as a No. 16 seed.