NCAAB · Final

Vaqueros Secure Victory Over Cardinals at Home

Monday, January 5, 2026, 7:30 PM ET · UTRGV Fieldhouse

UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros 80, Incarnate Word Cardinals 67, 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 Incarnate Word Cardinals vs UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros?

UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros beat Incarnate Word Cardinals 80-67 at UTRGV Fieldhouse on January 5, 2026.

Who was favored in Incarnate Word Cardinals vs UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros?

UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -112 (about 53% implied). The favorite won.

The UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros triumphed over the Incarnate Word Cardinals with a final score of 80-67 at the UTRGV Fieldhouse. This victory marks a significant turnaround for the Vaqueros, who had been struggling with a three-game losing streak prior to this match. Their recent form had seen them win only three of their last ten games, with an average of 70.2 points scored and 68.4 points allowed per game. However, this performance showcased their potential, particularly in the second half, where they pulled away decisively.

In contrast, the Incarnate Word Cardinals entered the game with a more favorable recent record of 6-4 over their last ten games, riding a three-game winning streak. They averaged 81.2 points scored and allowed 71.3 points during that stretch, indicating a more potent offense compared to their opponents. Despite their strong form, the Cardinals were unable to maintain their momentum against the Vaqueros.

The home team’s record now stands at 7-9, while the Cardinals fall to 8-8. The Vaqueros had a home record of 2-4 before this game, showcasing a need for improvement at their venue. The Cardinals, on the other hand, had struggled on the road with an away record of 0-4 prior to this matchup, which continued to be a challenge for them.

In their previous meetings this season, the teams had split their two encounters, with the Cardinals winning the first game 66-60 at home and the Vaqueros taking the second 85-78 on the road. This latest result gives the Vaqueros a crucial win in their head-to-head record, now standing at 2-1 for the season.

In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any notable absences affecting either team, allowing both squads to field their full rosters for this contest. The game was played under typical indoor basketball conditions, with no adverse weather factors impacting the performance.

The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had the Vaqueros favored by 1.5 points, with a total set at 146.5. The odds for the home moneyline were -112, while the away moneyline was -108, reflecting a closely contested matchup as anticipated.

As the game progressed, key moments included a series of scoring plays in the second half that allowed the Vaqueros to extend their lead. Notable contributions came from Koree Cotton, who made critical shots including a three-point jumper that solidified their advantage late in the game. The Vaqueros' ability to capitalize on their scoring opportunities was a decisive factor in their victory.

Overall, this game was a testament to the Vaqueros’ resilience and ability to perform under pressure, particularly after a challenging stretch of games. For the Cardinals, this loss highlights the ongoing struggles they face on the road as they look to rebound in their upcoming matches.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	RGV -1.5	146.5 o -108 / u -112	Incarnate Word Cardinals -108 · UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros -112

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

PointsFilip Brankovic29UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros
AssistsJulien Gomez5UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros
ReboundsFilip Brankovic9UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros
PointsTahj Staveskie21Incarnate Word Cardinals
AssistsTahj Staveskie4Incarnate Word Cardinals
ReboundsJordan Pyke9Incarnate Word Cardinals

Recent form

UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros

Last 10: 3-7Streak L370.2 scored · 68.4 allowed per game2-4 at home

L59-63vs Texas A&M-Corpus Christi IslandersJan 3
L69-71vs Nicholls ColonelsDec 31
L69-85vs LSU New Orleans PrivateersDec 30
W109-51vs College of Biblical Studies AmbassadorsDec 20
W83-72at Lamar CardinalsDec 17
L50-58vs UT Arlington MavericksDec 12
W63-50vs Austin Peay GovernorsDec 7
L60-73at Stephen F. Austin LumberjacksDec 4
L73-87at Illinois Fighting IlliniNov 25
L67-74at Missouri State BearsNov 22

Incarnate Word Cardinals

Last 10: 6-4Streak W381.2 scored · 71.3 allowed per game0-4 away

W73-56vs Houston Christian HuskiesJan 3
W79-70vs SE Louisiana LionsDec 30
W90-66vs Northern Arizona LumberjacksDec 21
L65-69at TCU Horned FrogsDec 16
L83-84at LSU New Orleans PrivateersDec 9
L67-74at Nicholls ColonelsDec 6
W71-67vs McNeese CowboysDec 2
W117-55vs Texas Lutheran BulldogsNov 26
L80-91at High Point PanthersNov 23
W87-81vs Southern Indiana Screaming EaglesNov 20

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	Incarnate Word Cardinals	UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros
Field goals	23-66	29-61
Field goal %	35	48
Three-pointers	7-23	9-32
Three-point %	30	28
Free throws	14-20	13-15
Free throw %	70	87
Rebounds	37	43
Offensive rebounds	18	14
Defensive rebounds	19	29
Assists	11	23
Steals	8	7
Blocks	1	5
Turnovers	8	10
Team turnovers	0	1
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	12	10
Fast-break points	6	16
Points in the paint	26	36
Fouls	15	16
Largest lead	2	16
Lead changes	1	1
Time in front	1	96

How the scoring went

2nd Half33-46Filip Brankovic makes 18-foot jumper (Julien Gomez assists)
2nd Half35-46Tahj Staveskie makes 10-foot floating jump shot
2nd Half36-46Tahj Staveskie makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half36-48Koree Cotton makes 4-foot dunk (Filip Brankovic assists)
2nd Half38-48Harold Woods makes layup (Lewis Rowe assists)
2nd Half39-48Harold Woods makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half39-51Filip Brankovic makes 24-foot three point jumper (Julien Gomez assists)
2nd Half40-51Jordan Pyke makes free throw 2 of 3
2nd Half41-51Esteban Mann makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half42-51Esteban Mann makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half45-51Harold Woods makes 24-foot three point jumper (Esteban Mann assists)
2nd Half46-51Davion Bailey makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half46-53Filip Brankovic makes layup
2nd Half46-54Filip Brankovic makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half47-54Jordan Pyke makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half48-54Jordan Pyke makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half48-55Filip Brankovic makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half48-56Filip Brankovic makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half51-56Davion Bailey makes 25-foot three point jumper (Tahj Staveskie assists)
2nd Half51-57Koree Cotton makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half51-58Koree Cotton makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half52-58Jordan Pyke makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half53-58Jordan Pyke makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half55-58Love Bettis makes 13-foot pullup jump shot
2nd Half57-58Jordan Pyke makes driving layup
2nd Half57-60Koree Cotton makes driving layup (Always Wright assists)
2nd Half57-63Koree Cotton makes 25-foot three point jumper (Julien Gomez assists)
2nd Half57-66Zae Blake makes 24-foot three point jumper (Koree Cotton assists)
2nd Half60-66Davion Bailey makes 25-foot three point jumper (Tahj Staveskie assists)
2nd Half60-69Julien Gomez makes 24-foot three point jumper (Koree Cotton assists)
2nd Half63-69Tahj Staveskie makes 24-foot three point jumper (Lewis Rowe assists)
2nd Half63-71Jaylen Washington makes driving layup
2nd Half63-73Koree Cotton makes driving layup
2nd Half63-74Koree Cotton makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half64-74Harold Woods makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half65-74Harold Woods makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half65-76Julien Gomez makes layup (Filip Brankovic assists)
2nd Half65-77Julien Gomez makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half65-80Koree Cotton makes 24-foot three point jumper (Jaylen Washington assists)
2nd Half67-80Davion Bailey makes 3-foot dunk

Win probability

Above the line favours UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros, below favours Incarnate Word Cardinals.