The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros men's basketball team is gearing up for an exciting matchup. On December 21, 2024, at 2 p.m., they will face the College of Biblical Studies at the UTRGV Fieldhouse. This game holds significant importance for the team's season.

Witness the Vaqueros' Battle for Victory on ESPN+

Game Highlights and Team Performances

Junior Trey Miller led the Vaqueros with an impressive 21 points, matching his career high. He also recorded three steals and seven assists, showcasing his all-around game. Junior Howie Fleming Jr. earned a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds, providing crucial frontcourt presence. Graduate student DK Thorn scored 13 points with six rebounds, adding to the team's scoring punch. Fifth-year K.T. Raimey was a force with 16 points, demonstrating his scoring ability.In the first four minutes, Thorn started strong with two layups. However, the Southern Utah (SUU) Thunderbirds went on a 7-0 run until senior Cliff Davis hit a three-pointer, shifting the momentum in UTRGV's favor. The Vaqueros then responded with a 10-0 run to take a 14-9 lead. Raimey kept the offense rolling by hitting back-to-back threes, giving UTRGV a 20-11 lead.Both teams played tight defense and pushed the pace, resulting in long scoreless stretches. The Vaqueros kept the Thunderbirds off the board for three-and-a-half minutes. SUU responded with a 6-0 run to cut the gap to 20-17.In the final minutes of the first half, the tempo picked up, and the teams exchanged shots. UTRGV leaned on its speed to generate offense and held a 34-28 lead going into halftime.

Second Half Action and Resilience

Both teams came out of the break and quickly got their offenses going, leading to an exciting second half. The Thunderbirds shot 52% from the field and trimmed their deficit to one possession several times. They used a 7-0 run to get within 48-47 midway through the second half.UTRGV showed great resilience and answered every SUU run. Although they made only five three-pointers on 25 attempts, they found success driving to the basket. Raimey, Thorn, and Fleming powered the offense with tough layups through contact, resulting in a pair of three-point plays and a 62-55 lead.While SUU continued to fight and make things close, UTRGV responded with sharp free throw shooting. They went 15-for-23 from the charity stripe, including eight free throws in the final three minutes, to secure the win.

Upcoming Game and Fan Support

Up next, the Vaqueros will host the College of Biblical Studies on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the UTRGV Fieldhouse. Fans can catch all the action on ESPN+. To show your support for the team, become a fan on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.