Vaqueros Defeat Huskies in NCAAB Showdown
Saturday, January 24, 2026, 4:30 PM ET · Sharp Gymnasium
UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros 68, Houston Christian Huskies 51, 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 UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros vs Houston Christian Huskies?
UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros beat Houston Christian Huskies 68-51 at Sharp Gymnasium on January 24, 2026.
Who was favored in UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros vs Houston Christian Huskies?
UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -155 (about 61% implied). The favorite won.
In a decisive matchup, the UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros emerged victorious against the Houston Christian Huskies, finishing the game with a score of 68 to 51. This game was held at Sharp Gymnasium on January 24, 2026, and showcased the contrasting recent forms of both teams. The Vaqueros, now with a record of 10-11, have shown resilience with a recent performance that includes a two-game winning streak. They averaged 74.8 points while allowing 69.1 over their last ten games. In contrast, the Huskies, now at 7-14, have struggled significantly, managing only two wins in their last ten outings, with an average of 67.1 points scored and 77.3 points allowed.
The Huskies entered the game with a home record of 2-3 in their last five games, while the Vaqueros boasted a more balanced away record of 1-2 during the same stretch. The recent performances of both teams set the stage for an intriguing contest, particularly considering their previous meetings. In their last two encounters, the teams split the results, with the Huskies winning 66-57 at home in January 2025, and the Vaqueros claiming a 76-52 victory in February of the same year.
In terms of injuries, the block does not provide specific details, but the impact of player availability can often be crucial in determining the outcome of games at this level. The betting market reflected the expectation of a competitive game, with DraftKings listing the Vaqueros as 2.5-point favorites and setting the total points at 140.5, indicating a belief in a moderately high-scoring affair.
The game conditions were typical for a college basketball matchup, with both teams looking to capitalize on their strengths. The Vaqueros' recent scoring prowess was evident as they built a significant lead, highlighted by several key plays in the second half. Filip Brankovic made impactful contributions, including a layup and a three-point jumper that helped extend the Vaqueros' lead to 68-45 before the Huskies managed to score again.
As the game progressed, the Huskies struggled to find their rhythm, ultimately finishing with a disappointing score of 51. Their inability to keep pace with the Vaqueros' scoring output was a defining factor in the game. The final score reflects the disparity in performance, with the Vaqueros capitalizing on their opportunities while the Huskies fell short in their efforts to mount a comeback.
Overall, this game served as a testament to the Vaqueros' current form and their ability to secure a win on the road, while the Huskies will need to regroup and address their defensive issues moving forward.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | RGV -2.5 | 140.5 o -110 / u -110 | UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros -155 · Houston Christian Huskies +130 |
Leaders
- PointsDemarco Bethea14Houston Christian Huskies
- AssistsTrent Johnson8Houston Christian Huskies
- ReboundsDemarco Bethea10Houston Christian Huskies
- PointsMarvin McGhee III17UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros
- AssistsJaylen Washington6UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros
- ReboundsMarvin McGhee III6UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros
Recent form
Houston Christian Huskies
Last 10: 2-8Streak W267.1 scored · 77.3 allowed per game2-3 at home
- W82-80vs Northwestern State DemonsJan 20
- W81-70vs East Texas A&M LionsJan 17
- L56-64at Lamar CardinalsJan 13
- L67-85at Stephen F. Austin LumberjacksJan 10
- L65-81vs Texas A&M-Corpus Christi IslandersJan 6
- L56-73at Incarnate Word CardinalsJan 3
- L61-89at Iowa State CyclonesDec 30
- L64-79at Nicholls ColonelsDec 18
- L68-78vs McNeese CowboysDec 16
- L71-74vs SE Louisiana LionsDec 13
UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros
Last 10: 5-5Streak W274.8 scored · 69.1 allowed per game1-2 away
- W68-65vs SE Louisiana LionsJan 20
- W79-76vs McNeese CowboysJan 17
- L63-64at Northwestern State DemonsJan 13
- L69-77at East Texas A&M LionsJan 10
- W80-67vs Incarnate Word CardinalsJan 6
- 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
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 | UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros | Houston Christian Huskies |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 28-53 | 20-47 |
| Field goal % | 53 | 43 |
| Three-pointers | 8-18 | 6-16 |
| Three-point % | 44 | 38 |
| Free throws | 4-4 | 5-8 |
| Free throw % | 100 | 63 |
| Rebounds | 24 | 29 |
| Offensive rebounds | 5 | 9 |
| Defensive rebounds | 19 | 20 |
| Assists | 22 | 14 |
| Steals | 11 | 6 |
| Blocks | 3 | 2 |
| Turnovers | 11 | 19 |
| Team turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 25 | 11 |
| Fast-break points | 4 | 2 |
| Points in the paint | 38 | 20 |
| Fouls | 8 | 6 |
| Largest lead | 23 | 7 |
| Lead changes | 1 | 1 |
| Time in front | 86 | 10 |
How the scoring went
- 1st Half23-18D'Aundre Samuels makes 25-foot three point step back jumpshot
- 1st Half25-18Kwo Agwa makes 2-foot alley oop dunk (Always Wright assists)
- 1st Half27-18Kwo Agwa makes layup (Julien Gomez assists)
- 1st Half29-18Kwo Agwa makes layup (Always Wright assists)
- 1st Half29-21Ryan Bartley makes 24-foot three point jumper (Demarco Bethea assists)
- 1st Half31-21Marvin McGhee III makes layup (Filip Brankovic assists)
- 1st Half31-24Ryan Bartley makes 24-foot three point jumper (Kylin Green assists)
- 2nd Half31-25Demari Williams makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half32-25Filip Brankovic makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half33-25Filip Brankovic makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half33-27Demarco Bethea makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half33-30D'Aundre Samuels makes 23-foot three point jumper (Trent Johnson assists)
- 2nd Half35-30Koree Cotton makes layup
- 2nd Half35-32Demari Williams makes 13-foot pullup jump shot (Kylin Green assists)
- 2nd Half38-32Marvin McGhee III makes 25-foot three pointer
- 2nd Half40-32Julien Gomez makes driving layup
- 2nd Half43-32Zae Blake makes 26-foot three point jumper (Kwo Agwa assists)
- 2nd Half43-34Demarco Bethea makes layup
- 2nd Half43-36Demarco Bethea makes layup (Trent Johnson assists)
- 2nd Half43-38Demarco Bethea makes layup
- 2nd Half46-38Marvin McGhee III makes 24-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half49-38Koree Cotton makes 25-foot three point jumper (Marvin McGhee III assists)
- 2nd Half49-39D'Aundre Samuels makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half49-40D'Aundre Samuels makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half51-40Koree Cotton makes 2-foot dunk (Marvin McGhee III assists)
- 2nd Half53-40Jaylen Washington makes layup (Koree Cotton assists)
- 2nd Half53-42D'Aundre Samuels makes 13-foot jumper (Trent Johnson assists)
- 2nd Half54-42Marvin McGhee III makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half55-42Marvin McGhee III makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half57-42Marvin McGhee III makes layup (Koree Cotton assists)
- 2nd Half57-43Demarco Bethea makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half59-43Koree Cotton makes layup (Filip Brankovic assists)
- 2nd Half61-43Filip Brankovic makes layup (Koree Cotton assists)
- 2nd Half61-45Caleb Gaston makes layup (Trent Johnson assists)
- 2nd Half64-45Filip Brankovic makes 24-foot three point jumper (Jaylen Washington assists)
- 2nd Half66-45Koree Cotton makes layup
- 2nd Half68-45Julien Gomez makes layup
- 2nd Half68-47Caleb Gaston makes layup (Demarco Bethea assists)
- 2nd Half68-48Demarco Bethea makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half68-51Demari Williams makes 24-foot three point jumper (D'Aundre Samuels assists)
Win probability
Above the line favours Houston Christian Huskies, below favours UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros.
Venue
- Sharp GymnasiumHouston, TX
- Attendance798
- OfficialsHenry Howard, Andre Crawford, Thomas Northcutt
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond