The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros women's basketball team showcased their mettle in a hard-fought battle against the Eastern Michigan (EMU) Eagles. This encounter opened the UTRGV Holiday Classic at the UTRGV Fieldhouse, with the Vaqueros emerging victorious with a 73 - 66 overtime win. Graduate student Kade Hackerott led UTRGV's offense, scoring 18 points along with five assists and eight rebounds. Junior forward Charlotte O'Keefe had an outstanding performance, recording her fourth double-double with 17 rebounds and 10 points, and this was her third game this season with 17+ rebounds. Senior guard Tierra Trotter scored a season-high 16 points, while freshman guard Gianna Angiolet added 13 points and a career-high seven rebounds. Mackenzie Amalia and Sisi Eleko both scored 18 points to lead Eastern Michigan. Eleko also had a double-double with 17 rebounds.

Inside Dominance in the First Quarter

The Vaqueros came out strong in the first quarter, establishing dominance inside. Whether it was cleaning up the boards or driving to the hoop with power, UTRGV showed their might. O'Keefe reeled in six rebounds in this quarter alone as the team racked up 18 rebounds in total. Nine of those were offensive rebounds, which led to numerous scoring opportunities. The Vaqueros took an early lead and held a 17 - 11 advantage heading into the second quarter.In the second quarter, the game became more even. Eastern Michigan started knocking down three-pointers to close the gap, but UTRGV showed their composure. They went 7 - for - 8 from the free throw line and got a three-pointer from Hackerott to maintain a 33 - 30 lead at halftime. Both defenses intensified their efforts, holding their opponents scoreless for stretches.

Third Quarter Turnaround

Eastern Michigan took control in the third quarter, shooting 50% from the field while holding UTRGV to 27%. The Eagles outscored and outrebounded the Vaqueros in this frame and held a 48 - 43 lead going into the fourth quarter. Their scoring run extended to 11 - 0 and a 50 - 43 lead as the Eagles' defense kept UTRGV off the scoreboard for over five minutes.

Wild Finish and Overtime

UTRGV responded with a 5 - 0 run, with O'Keefe producing a three-point play with a strong layup finish through contact to make it a one-possession game. From there, the teams engaged in a wild finish, with freshmen guards Kayla Lorenz and Angiolet nailing clutch shots to keep the Vaqueros in the game. Eastern Michigan managed to wrangle a massive offensive rebound and jumped on top, 59 - 57, with six seconds on the clock.However, UTRGV didn't give up. They ran a halfcourt play for Trotter, and the senior captain delivered, driving straight to the hoop and floating in the game - tying shot to force overtime at 59 - 59.In overtime, the Vaqueros took control. Angiolet and Hackerott helped open up a 65 - 59 lead before Amalia drained a three - pointer for the Eagles. But UTRGV's sharp shooting continued, and the duo created a 69 - 64 cushion. The Vaqueros milked the clock and forced EMU to foul, sending the home team to the charity stripe often. They went 8 - for - 12 from the free throw line to secure the win.The UTRGV Holiday Classic continues on Friday with Eastern Michigan facing Texas A&M - Corpus Christi at 4 p.m. and the Vaqueros taking on Kansas City at 6:30 p.m. at the UTRGV Fieldhouse. Tickets can be purchased at UTRGVTickets.com. A clear bag policy is in place for all fans at UTRGV facilities.Support UTRGV Women's Basketball | Become a Fan on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Follow us on Instagram | Follow us on YouTube