Stephen F. Austin State asserted its dominance over Texas Rio Grande Valley, securing a 73-60 victory at the William R. Johnson Coliseum. The Lumberjacks' win was fueled by a strong second-half performance, where they outscored the Vaqueros 44-34. Narit Chotikavanic led the charge for Stephen F. Austin, scoring 13 points to pace the team. Lateef Patrick and Chrishawn Christmas also made significant contributions, with Patrick adding 12 points and 6 rebounds, and Christmas posting a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
The game got off to a slow start, with Stephen F. Austin State holding a slim 29-26 lead at halftime. However, the Lumberjacks came out strong in the second half, using their balanced attack to pull away from Texas Rio Grande Valley. Jaylen Washington was the bright spot for the Vaqueros, scoring 15 points and grabbing 7 rebounds to lead his team. Koree Cotton also chipped in with 11 points and 8 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Lumberjacks' relentless offense.
Stephen F. Austin State's victory was a reflection of its depth and versatility. The Lumberjacks had multiple players step up and make key plays, making it difficult for Texas Rio Grande Valley to defend. On the other hand, the Vaqueros struggled to find consistency on offense, relying heavily on Washington and Cotton to carry the load.
The win improves Stephen F. Austin State's record to 18-3, while Texas Rio Grande Valley falls to 10-11. Although this game was not expected to be a closely contested matchup, given the difference in the teams' net rankings, the Lumberjacks' performance was still impressive. They demonstrated their ability to take care of business against a lesser opponent, which is crucial for building momentum and confidence.
In terms of tournament implications, this result has significant resume implications for both teams. For Stephen F. Austin State, the win is considered a Quadrant 4 victory, which may not greatly enhance their tournament profile. However, it does help to maintain their strong overall record and net ranking of 84. On the other hand, Texas Rio Grande Valley's loss is classified as a Quadrant 2 defeat, which could potentially hurt their chances of securing a postseason berth. With a current net ranking of 169, the Vaqueros must string together some impressive wins to improve their standing and become a more attractive candidate for the tournament committee. As it stands, Stephen F. Austin State's victory solidifies their position as a strong mid-major program, while Texas Rio Grande Valley want to regroup and refocus their efforts to make a push for the postseason.