The Fieldhouse was roaring as the Vaqueros stopped the Roadrunners in their tracks with a last-second tip-in to defeat California State University, Bakersfield 68-66 in tonight’s conference home game.
The Vaqueros’ overall record is 14-12 and 5-4 in conference play.
UTRGV guard Moe McDonald secured the last-second victory after rebounding a missed 3-pointer from fellow guard Nick Dixon and tipped it in for a field goal.
“I thought it was going in,” McDonald said. “Coach always talked about what everybody’s doing on the last possession of the game. … Huge win. We needed this.”
Dixon and UTRGV forward Lesley Varner Jr. led the team with 14 points each. Fellow guard Javon Levi tallied a career-high 13 points, four assists and a career-high four steals.
The Vaqueros scored their first field goal two minutes in and had the Roadrunners trailing for most of the first half until CSU guard Damiyne Durham scored two points to end the first half tied at 26.
The Roadrunners had 22 turnovers throughout the entire game, handing the ball over to the Vaqueros, but CSU was quick to rebound the ball, beating UTRGV to the rim.
UTRGV guard Javon Levi breaks through CSU’s defense during tonight’s home game against the Roadrunners. The Vaqueros won 68-66.
Head Coach Lew Hill said the team didn’t do a good job rebounding in tonight’s game.
“The last game, we did [rebound],” Hill said. “Tonight, we didn’t. That’s why they were in game. They controlled the paint. We didn’t. But, we found a way to win, we had the will to win and, at the end of the day, that’s what it’s about. Winning.”
The Roadrunners picked up the pace in the second half and gave the Vaqueros defense trouble, resulting in four lead changes.
UTRGV had a 58-51 lead with less than five minutes left in the game; however, CSU responded with two 3-pointers, one by Durham and the other by guard/forward Justin Davis. Momentum continued for the Roadrunners as guard Ricky Holden tied the game at 66 after a layup with 22 seconds remaining.
On the visiting side, Durham led the Roadrunners with 26 points and five rebounds; guard Jarkel Joiner garnered 12 points and six rebounds; and Holden finished with 10 points.
This is the first time UTRGV has swept CSU in a two-game series since 2007, according to goutrgv.com.
The Vaqueros will travel to Washington to take on Seattle University at 9 p.m. Thursday.
