Vaqueros Secure Victory Over Lions in Close Contest
Saturday, February 28, 2026, 5:30 PM ET · UTRGV Fieldhouse
UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros 63, East Texas A&M Lions 55, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won East Texas A&M Lions vs UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros?
UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros beat East Texas A&M Lions 63-55 at UTRGV Fieldhouse on February 28, 2026.
Who was favored in East Texas A&M Lions vs UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros?
UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -600 (about 86% implied). The favorite won.
In a tightly contested matchup, the UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros triumphed over the East Texas A&M Lions with a final score of 63-55. The game took place at the UTRGV Fieldhouse, where the Vaqueros showcased their home advantage, improving their record to 18-13, while the Lions fell to 11-21.
The Vaqueros entered the game with a strong recent form, boasting an 8-2 record in their last ten games, despite suffering a loss in their most recent outing against the McNeese Cowboys on February 24. Their scoring average during this stretch was 79.0 points per game, while they allowed 68.5 points. In contrast, the Lions struggled, recording a 3-7 mark over their last ten games and entering the contest on a two-game losing streak. They averaged 67.5 points scored and allowed 73.9 points during this period.
At home, the Vaqueros had a record of 2-1 in their last three games, while the Lions struggled on the road, holding a 1-2 record in their last three away games. Historically, the two teams were evenly matched in their previous meetings, with a head-to-head record of 1-1. The most recent encounter before this game took place on January 10, 2026, where the Vaqueros lost 69-77 at East Texas A&M. The earlier meeting in the 2025 season saw the Vaqueros narrowly win 57-55 at home.
In terms of injuries, the block did not provide any specific details affecting either team, which suggests that both squads may have been at full strength for this crucial matchup. The betting market, as reported by DraftKings, had the Vaqueros favored by 10.5 points, with a total set at 146.5. The home moneyline was listed at -600, while the away moneyline stood at +440.
Game conditions were not detailed in the block, but the UTRGV Fieldhouse typically provides a familiar environment for the Vaqueros, contributing to their home court advantage.
During the game, the Vaqueros managed to maintain a slight lead throughout, with key free throws from players like Jaylen Washington and Marvin McGhee III helping to secure their victory in the closing moments. Washington made two free throws to extend the lead to 60-52, while McGhee followed suit, adding to the score and ensuring the Lions could not close the gap.
As the game concluded, the Vaqueros' ability to capitalize on free throw opportunities proved critical, as they converted several key shots down the stretch to maintain their lead and seal the win. The Lions, despite their efforts, were unable to mount a successful comeback, finishing the game with a disappointing performance.
Overall, this matchup highlighted the Vaqueros' strength at home and their resilience in bouncing back from recent setbacks, while the Lions continue to face challenges as they look to improve their season.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | RGV -10.5 | 146.5 o -110 / u -110 | East Texas A&M Lions +440 · UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros -600 |
Leaders
- PointsJulien Gomez14UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros
- AssistsFilip Brankovic4UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros
- ReboundsFilip Brankovic9UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros
- PointsNoah Pagotto18East Texas A&M Lions
- AssistsGianni Hunt6East Texas A&M Lions
- ReboundsNoah Pagotto8East Texas A&M Lions
Recent form
UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros
Last 10: 8-2Streak L179 scored · 68.5 allowed per game2-1 at home
- L68-75at McNeese CowboysFeb 24
- W96-75at SE Louisiana LionsFeb 21
- W70-65vs Lamar CardinalsFeb 17
- L57-66vs Stephen F. Austin LumberjacksFeb 14
- W92-72at Nicholls ColonelsFeb 10
- W95-76at LSU New Orleans PrivateersFeb 7
- W74-57vs Houston Christian HuskiesFeb 3
- W106-93at Incarnate Word CardinalsJan 31
- W64-55at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi IslandersJan 27
- W68-51at Houston Christian HuskiesJan 24
East Texas A&M Lions
Last 10: 3-7Streak L267.5 scored · 73.9 allowed per game1-2 away
- L68-69vs Houston Christian HuskiesFeb 24
- L73-82vs Incarnate Word CardinalsFeb 21
- W70-53vs SE Louisiana LionsFeb 16
- L54-97vs McNeese CowboysFeb 14
- L70-74at Stephen F. Austin LumberjacksFeb 10
- W52-48vs Northwestern State DemonsFeb 7
- W74-68at Northwestern State DemonsFeb 5
- L85-94vs LSU New Orleans PrivateersFeb 3
- L68-72vs Nicholls ColonelsJan 31
- L61-82at Lamar CardinalsJan 28
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen F. Austin | 28-6 | - | 20-2 |
| McNeese | 28-6 | 1 | 19-3 |
| UT Rio Grande Valley | 19-14 | 6 | 14-8 |
| Texas A&M-Corpus Christi | 18-15 | 7 | 13-9 |
| LSU New Orleans | 15-18 | 8 | 12-10 |
| Nicholls | 14-19 | 8 | 12-10 |
| Houston Christian | 12-20 | 12 | 8-14 |
| Northwestern State | 10-22 | 12 | 8-14 |
| Incarnate Word | 12-19 | 13 | 7-15 |
| Lamar | 12-19 | 13 | 7-15 |
| East Texas A&M | 11-21 | 14 | 6-16 |
| SE Louisiana | 9-22 | 14 | 6-16 |
Box score
| Stat | East Texas A&M Lions | UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 18-55 | 22-51 |
| Field goal % | 33 | 43 |
| Three-pointers | 6-28 | 7-21 |
| Three-point % | 21 | 33 |
| Free throws | 13-19 | 12-15 |
| Free throw % | 68 | 80 |
| Rebounds | 35 | 38 |
| Offensive rebounds | 12 | 9 |
| Defensive rebounds | 23 | 29 |
| Assists | 13 | 13 |
| Steals | 6 | 1 |
| Blocks | 1 | 3 |
| Turnovers | 4 | 10 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 9 | 7 |
| Fast-break points | 6 | 2 |
| Points in the paint | 22 | 28 |
| Fouls | 13 | 15 |
| Largest lead | 13 | 10 |
| Lead changes | 1 | 1 |
| Time in front | 76 | 17 |
How the scoring went
- 1st Half34-21Gianni Hunt makes driving layup (Evan Phelps assists)
- 1st Half34-24Filip Brankovic makes 26-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half36-24Noah Pagotto makes 3-foot dunk
- 2nd Half36-26Julien Gomez makes layup (Jaylen Washington assists)
- 2nd Half36-27Julien Gomez makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half36-30Julien Gomez makes 26-foot three point jumper (Jaylen Washington assists)
- 2nd Half37-30Damian Garcia makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half38-30Damian Garcia makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half38-32Koree Cotton makes layup (Filip Brankovic assists)
- 2nd Half38-33Koree Cotton makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half41-33Tay Mosher makes 25-foot three point jumper (Damian Garcia assists)
- 2nd Half41-36Koree Cotton makes 26-foot three point jumper (Jaylen Washington assists)
- 2nd Half41-38Filip Brankovic makes layup
- 2nd Half43-38Noah Pagotto makes 6-foot hook shot
- 2nd Half45-38Ronnie Harrison makes 15-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half45-40Jaylen Washington makes 7-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half47-40Josh Taylor makes layup (Noah Pagotto assists)
- 2nd Half47-42Kwo Agwa makes 2-foot dunk (Koree Cotton assists)
- 2nd Half48-42Josh Taylor makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half48-44Jaylen Washington makes 18-foot step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half48-46Koree Cotton makes 2-foot dunk
- 2nd Half48-48Julien Gomez makes layup (Filip Brankovic assists)
- 2nd Half50-48Gianni Hunt makes 5-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half50-50Filip Brankovic makes driving layup (Koree Cotton assists)
- 2nd Half50-52Filip Brankovic makes layup (Koree Cotton assists)
- 2nd Half50-53Filip Brankovic makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half50-55Koree Cotton makes driving layup (Marvin McGhee III assists)
- 2nd Half50-56Julien Gomez makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half50-57Julien Gomez makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half51-57Gianni Hunt makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half51-58Filip Brankovic makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half52-58Ronnie Harrison makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half52-59Jaylen Washington makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half52-60Jaylen Washington makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half53-60Gianni Hunt makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half53-61Marvin McGhee III makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half53-62Marvin McGhee III makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half53-63Dane Christensen makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half54-63Gianni Hunt makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half55-63Gianni Hunt makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros, below favours East Texas A&M Lions.
Venue
- UTRGV FieldhouseEdinburg, TX
- Attendance1723
- OfficialsAdrian Judie, Derek Schulte, Kevin Boone
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