NCAAB · Final

Vaqueros Edge Cardinals in Close Contest

Monday, February 16, 2026, 7:30 PM ET · UTRGV Fieldhouse

UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros 70, Lamar Cardinals 65, 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 Lamar Cardinals vs UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros?

UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros beat Lamar Cardinals 70-65 at UTRGV Fieldhouse on February 16, 2026.

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

UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -285 (about 74% implied). The favorite won.

In a tightly contested matchup, the UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros emerged victorious against the Lamar Cardinals, finishing the game with a score of 70-65. This win showcases the Vaqueros' ability to perform under pressure, especially after a recent loss to Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks just days prior. The victory brings their overall record to 15-12, while the Cardinals fall to 12-15.

The Vaqueros have shown strong form in their recent games, holding an 8-2 record over their last ten outings, although they are currently on a one-game losing streak. They have averaged 76.6 points scored per game while allowing 67.5 points, indicating a solid offensive and defensive balance. Their last five games have been particularly impressive, with an average of 84.8 points scored and 72.8 points allowed. At home, they have a record of 3-1 in their last four games.

In contrast, the Lamar Cardinals have struggled recently, posting a record of 3-6-1 in their last ten games, which includes a three-game losing streak. They have averaged 67.0 points scored and 66.6 points allowed during this stretch. Their last five games have not been favorable either, with an average of 68.2 points scored and 69.6 points allowed. Their away record has been particularly poor, with only one win in their last four away games.

The matchup at the UTRGV Fieldhouse was also significant due to the previous meetings between the two teams. The Vaqueros had a record of 1-2 against the Cardinals in their last three encounters, having lost both previous meetings in the 2025 season. However, they managed to turn the tide this time, securing a crucial win to even the score.

In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details on player availability, but the performance of key players would have been a focal point for both teams. The market had priced the Vaqueros as 6.5-point favorites according to DraftKings, with a money line of -285 for the home team and +230 for the away team. The total for the game was set at 141.5, reflecting expectations for a moderately high-scoring affair.

Conditions in the arena were typical for a college basketball game, with a competitive atmosphere that likely fueled both teams. As the game progressed, viewers witnessed several pivotal scoring plays that shifted momentum. Notably, Andrew Holifield made a crucial 24-foot three-point jumper, narrowing the gap for the Cardinals, while Jaylen Washington's driving layup provided a brief lead for the Vaqueros. Free throws from Rob Lee Jr. and Julien Gomez in the closing moments ultimately sealed the victory for UTRGV.

Overall, this matchup highlighted the resilience of the Vaqueros as they bounced back from their recent loss, while the Cardinals continue to seek answers to their struggles on the court.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	RGV -6.5	141.5 o -115 / u -105	Lamar Cardinals +230 · UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros -285

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

Leaders

PointsFilip Brankovic19UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros
AssistsJaylen Washington8UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros
ReboundsKoree Cotton7UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros
PointsRob Lee Jr.14Lamar Cardinals
AssistsRob Lee Jr.4Lamar Cardinals
ReboundsCody Pennebaker10Lamar Cardinals

Recent form

UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros

Last 10: 8-2Streak L176.6 scored · 67.5 allowed per game3-1 at home

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
W68-65vs SE Louisiana LionsJan 20
W79-76vs McNeese CowboysJan 17
L63-64at Northwestern State DemonsJan 13

Lamar Cardinals

Last 10: 3-6-1Streak L367 scored · 66.6 allowed per game1-3 away

L63-76at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi IslandersFeb 14
L68-70vs Northwestern State DemonsFeb 10
L74-84at Stephen F. Austin LumberjacksFeb 7
W73-54vs SE Louisiana LionsFeb 3
L63-64vs McNeese CowboysFeb 1
W82-61vs East Texas A&M LionsJan 28
D0-0vs East Texas A&M LionsJan 27
L81-88vs Stephen F. Austin LumberjacksJan 24
L76-89at LSU New Orleans PrivateersJan 20
W90-80at Nicholls ColonelsJan 17

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	Lamar Cardinals	UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros
Field goals	26-58	22-61
Field goal %	45	36
Three-pointers	6-11	9-28
Three-point %	55	32
Free throws	7-16	17-23
Free throw %	44	74
Rebounds	42	37
Offensive rebounds	13	14
Defensive rebounds	29	23
Assists	14	17
Steals	1	3
Blocks	4	3
Turnovers	7	2
Team turnovers	1	0
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	1
Points off turnovers	1	7
Fast-break points	10	5
Points in the paint	22	26
Fouls	18	14
Largest lead	5	5
Lead changes	10	10
Time in front	27	65

How the scoring went

2nd Half32-34Filip Brankovic makes layup (Julien Gomez assists)
2nd Half35-34Rob Lee Jr. makes 24-foot three point jumper (Andrew Holifield assists)
2nd Half35-36Filip Brankovic makes layup (Julien Gomez assists)
2nd Half37-36Cody Pennebaker makes 15-foot pullup jump shot
2nd Half39-36Janko Bulajic makes layup (Cody Pennebaker assists)
2nd Half39-38Koree Cotton makes driving layup
2nd Half41-38Cody Pennebaker makes layup
2nd Half41-39Koree Cotton makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half41-40Koree Cotton makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half43-40Rob Lee Jr. makes 12-foot turnaround jump shot
2nd Half44-40Errol White makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half44-41Always Wright makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half45-41Rob Lee Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half45-44Always Wright makes 25-foot three point jumper (Dane Christensen assists)
2nd Half45-45Dane Christensen makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half45-46Dane Christensen makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half47-46Eian Lowe makes driving layup
2nd Half47-49Jalen Ricks makes 24-foot three point jumper (Dane Christensen assists)
2nd Half47-50Marshal Destremau makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half48-50Rob Lee Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half48-53Marshal Destremau makes 24-foot three point jumper (Koree Cotton assists)
2nd Half50-53Eian Lowe makes driving layup
2nd Half50-54Marshal Destremau makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half52-54Braden East makes 3-foot dunk (Rob Lee Jr. assists)
2nd Half52-55Koree Cotton makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half52-56Koree Cotton makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half54-56Braden East makes layup (Eian Lowe assists)
2nd Half54-58Koree Cotton makes layup
2nd Half56-58Rob Lee Jr. makes 13-foot jumper (King-Njhsanni Wilhite assists)
2nd Half56-61Filip Brankovic makes 25-foot three point jumper (Jaylen Washington assists)
2nd Half59-61King-Njhsanni Wilhite makes 29-foot three point jumper (Rob Lee Jr. assists)
2nd Half59-63Filip Brankovic makes layup (Jaylen Washington assists)
2nd Half62-63Andrew Holifield makes 24-foot three point jumper (King-Njhsanni Wilhite assists)
2nd Half62-65Jaylen Washington makes driving layup
2nd Half63-65Rob Lee Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half64-65Rob Lee Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half64-68Filip Brankovic makes 25-foot three point jumper (Jaylen Washington assists)
2nd Half65-68Eian Lowe makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half65-69Julien Gomez makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half65-70Julien Gomez makes free throw 2 of 2

Win probability

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