NCAAB · Final/3OT

McNeese Cowboys Edge Vaqueros in Thrilling 3OT Showdown

Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 9:30 PM ET · Townsley Law Arena

McNeese Cowboys 84, UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros 80, 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 McNeese Cowboys?

McNeese Cowboys beat UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros 84-80 at Townsley Law Arena on March 10, 2026.

Who was favored in UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros vs McNeese Cowboys?

McNeese Cowboys were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -375 (about 79% implied). The favorite won.

In a gripping encounter that showcased the tenacity of both teams, the McNeese Cowboys triumphed over the UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros with a final score of 84-80 after three overtimes. This match not only highlighted the competitive spirit of college basketball but also served as a testament to the resilience of both squads as they battled through an extended contest at the Townsley Law Arena.

The Cowboys entered the game with a strong home record of 27-5, having won eight consecutive games leading up to this matchup. Their recent form was impressive, with a record of 9-1 in their last ten games, averaging 73.6 points scored while allowing 63.1 points. In contrast, the Vaqueros, with an away record of 19-14, had also been performing well, boasting an 8-2 record in their last ten outings and averaging 77.5 points scored, with an average of 67.1 points allowed. The Cowboys had previously faced the Vaqueros on February 24, 2026, where they secured a 75-68 victory, adding to their favorable head-to-head record of 3-1 against UTRGV.

The game was tightly contested from the start, with both teams exchanging leads throughout regulation and into overtime. The conditions in the arena were electric, with fans on the edge of their seats as the teams fought for every point. As the game progressed into the third overtime, the tension escalated, leading to a flurry of scoring plays that kept spectators enthralled.

Key moments in the final overtime included free throws from Larry Johnson and Jaylen Washington, which kept the score close. A pivotal dunk by Jacolb Fredson-Cole, assisted by Garwey Dual, put the Cowboys ahead, while Julien Gomez's free throws for the Vaqueros tied the game again at crucial moments. Ultimately, it was a layup and a dunk from Johnson that sealed the victory for McNeese, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure.

The market had priced the Cowboys as favorites, with DraftKings listing them at -8.5 on the spread and a moneyline of -375, while the Vaqueros were set at +295 on the moneyline. The total for the game was set at 140.5, reflecting expectations for a competitive scoring affair.

In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details, but the physical nature of the game indicated that both teams had to navigate the fatigue and wear that comes with such a prolonged battle. The Cowboys' home advantage, coupled with their recent form and strong scoring averages, played a significant role in their ability to secure the win.

As the game concluded, the Cowboys not only solidified their dominance at home but also showcased their capability to handle high-pressure situations, a crucial skill as they look ahead in their season. The Vaqueros, despite the loss, demonstrated their competitive spirit and ability to push a strong team to the limit, signaling that they remain a formidable opponent in the league.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	MCN -8.5	140.5 o -110 / u -110	UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros +295 · McNeese Cowboys -375

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

Leaders

PointsLarry Johnson27McNeese Cowboys
AssistsGarwey Dual10McNeese Cowboys
ReboundsLarry Johnson12McNeese Cowboys
PointsKoree Cotton20UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros
AssistsFilip Brankovic4UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros
ReboundsKoree Cotton13UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros

Recent form

McNeese Cowboys

Last 10: 9-1Streak W873.6 scored · 63.1 allowed per game4-0 at home

W75-65at Nicholls ColonelsMar 3
W66-63at LSU New Orleans PrivateersFeb 28
W75-68vs UT Rio Grande Valley VaquerosFeb 24
W70-54vs Texas A&M-Corpus Christi IslandersFeb 22
W75-64at Northwestern State DemonsFeb 17
W97-54at East Texas A&M LionsFeb 14
W73-69vs Houston Christian HuskiesFeb 10
W81-64vs Incarnate Word CardinalsFeb 7
L60-67at Stephen F. Austin LumberjacksFeb 3
W64-63at Lamar CardinalsFeb 1

UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros

Last 10: 8-2Streak W377.5 scored · 67.1 allowed per game3-1 away

W86-68vs Nicholls ColonelsMar 10
W74-62vs Northwestern State DemonsMar 3
W63-55vs East Texas A&M LionsFeb 28
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

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	McNeese Cowboys
Field goals	26-59	30-80
Field goal %	44	38
Three-pointers	10-30	8-25
Three-point %	33	32
Free throws	18-23	16-31
Free throw %	78	52
Rebounds	47	48
Offensive rebounds	8	20
Defensive rebounds	39	28
Assists	13	16
Steals	8	16
Blocks	2	4
Turnovers	24	10
Team turnovers	4	0
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	13	35
Fast-break points	4	13
Points in the paint	28	40
Fouls	22	22
Largest lead	5	12
Lead changes	13	13
Time in front	21	62

How the scoring went

2nd Half52-53Tyshawn Archie makes 26-foot three point jumper (Garwey Dual assists)
2nd Half53-53Jaylen Washington makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half53-56DJ Richards Jr. makes 24-foot three point jumper (Javohn Garcia assists)
2nd Half56-56Marvin McGhee III makes 23-foot three point jumper (Koree Cotton assists)
2nd Half57-56Koree Cotton makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half58-56Koree Cotton makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half58-58Garwey Dual makes 0-foot tip in dunk
OT58-60Javohn Garcia makes layup
OT60-60Koree Cotton makes layup
OT62-60Filip Brankovic makes layup
OT63-60Filip Brankovic makes free throw 1 of 1
OT63-61Tyshawn Archie makes free throw 2 of 2
OT63-62Garwey Dual makes free throw 1 of 2
OT63-64DJ Richards Jr. makes 9-foot jumper (Garwey Dual assists)
OT64-64Koree Cotton makes free throw 1 of 2
OT65-64Koree Cotton makes free throw 2 of 2
OT66-64Marvin McGhee III makes free throw 1 of 2
OT67-64Marvin McGhee III makes free throw 2 of 2
OT67-67Larry Johnson makes 24-foot three point jumper (Jacolb Fredson-Cole assists)
2OT69-67Filip Brankovic makes layup (Koree Cotton assists)
2OT70-67Koree Cotton makes free throw 1 of 2
2OT71-67Julien Gomez makes free throw 1 of 2
2OT72-67Julien Gomez makes free throw 2 of 2
2OT72-69Larry Johnson makes layup
2OT72-70Jacolb Fredson-Cole makes free throw 1 of 2
2OT72-71Javohn Garcia makes free throw 1 of 2
2OT72-72Javohn Garcia makes free throw 2 of 2
3OT72-74Larry Johnson makes 6-foot dunk
3OT72-76DJ Richards Jr. makes layup (Garwey Dual assists)
3OT74-76Julien Gomez makes layup
3OT74-77Garwey Dual makes free throw 1 of 2
3OT76-77Jaylen Washington makes 13-foot jumper (Julien Gomez assists)
3OT76-78Larry Johnson makes free throw 2 of 2
3OT77-78Jaylen Washington makes free throw 1 of 2
3OT78-78Jaylen Washington makes free throw 2 of 2
3OT78-80Jacolb Fredson-Cole makes 5-foot dunk (Garwey Dual assists)
3OT79-80Julien Gomez makes free throw 1 of 2
3OT80-80Julien Gomez makes free throw 2 of 2
3OT80-82Larry Johnson makes layup (Garwey Dual assists)
3OT80-84Larry Johnson makes 2-foot dunk

Win probability

Above the line favours McNeese Cowboys, below favours UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros.