The Vaqueros defeated the Wayland Baptist University Pioneers 85-66 in their last non-conference game of the season, improving their record to 16-13 overall.
In the first minutes of the game at the Fieldhouse, the Pioneers opened the first half with a layup by senior guard Robertson Trevonta. UTRGV came back quickly with a layup by senior forward Terry Winn III, assisted by sophomore guard Javon Levi.
After a 3-pointer and a dunk by junior guard Jordan Jackson, the Vaqueros started a 21-7 run that ended in a 21-9 lead. During the run, UTRGV forced seven turnovers and senior forward Ndene Gueye made a pair of layups, followed by a 3-pointer by sophomore guard Greg Bowie II, leading their team to end the first half with a 43-28 lead over WBU.
UTRGV graduate student guard Tyson Smith hit a couple of free throws, a jumper and a 3-pointer in a 12-0 run that opened the second half, making it more difficult for the Pioneers to reach the Vaqueros at the score.
In tonight’s game, Levi produced four steals, increasing his NCAA-leading steals total to 88, which is also the fourth-highest single-season total in the program’s history.
Head Coach Lew Hill discussed how tonight’s game will benefit the team for upcoming games.
“Well, I think it helps you stay sharp, you know, ’cause you can still practice so much at this time of year, so to have a game in between, I think that even New Mexico State had a game too, so you want have a game right now just to kinda stay sharp down the stretch,” Hill said.
The next match for the Vaqueros will be at 5 p.m. Saturday against the Western Athletic Conference-leading New Mexico State University at the Pan American Center in Las Cruces, N.M.
UTRGV junior guard Jordan Jackson attempts to score in a turnover during tonight’s game against Wayland Baptist University in the UTRGV Fieldhouse on Edinburg campus.
