Northwestern State Edges UTRGV in Nail-Biter Finish
Monday, January 12, 2026, 7:30 PM ET · Prather Coliseum
Northwestern State Demons 64, UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros 63, 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 Northwestern State Demons?
Northwestern State Demons beat UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros 64-63 at Prather Coliseum on January 12, 2026.
Who was favored in UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros vs Northwestern State Demons?
UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -155 (about 61% implied). The underdog won.
In a thrilling matchup, the Northwestern State Demons narrowly defeated the UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros with a final score of 64-63. This contest showcased the competitive spirit of both teams, each entering the game with identical records of 6-11. The game took place at Prather Coliseum, where the Demons managed to secure a victory in front of their home crowd.
Both teams have had a mixed bag of results in their recent games. The Demons, in their last ten outings, posted a record of 4-6, with their most recent game resulting in a narrow victory over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders, 79-78. They have averaged 73.1 points scored while allowing 73.9 points during this stretch. At home, they have a record of 3-3, while their away record stands at 1-3. In their last five games, Northwestern State has been slightly less effective, averaging 70.0 points scored and 74.0 points allowed, with a record of 2-3.
On the other hand, the Vaqueros have also recorded a 4-6 mark in their last ten games, but they are currently on a one-game losing streak after falling to the East Texas A&M Lions, 69-77. UTRGV has averaged 71.1 points scored while allowing 66.7 points during this period. Their away record is 1-2, while they have fared better at home with a record of 3-4. In their last five games, the Vaqueros have struggled, managing only 69.2 points scored and allowing 72.6 points, with a disappointing record of 1-4.
In terms of head-to-head matchups, this was the second meeting between these two teams, with Northwestern State having previously won their only encounter in the 2025 season by a score of 79-63. This prior victory may have provided the Demons with some confidence heading into this game.
Injury updates were not detailed in the provided facts, so both teams appeared to be at full strength for this contest. The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had the Vaqueros favored by 2.5 points, with a total set at 143.5. The moneyline for Northwestern State was at +130, while UTRGV was at -155.
As the game unfolded, it was a tightly contested affair, with both teams exchanging leads throughout. The scoring plays highlighted the back-and-forth nature of the contest. Notable moments included Zae Blake's driving layup that pushed the Vaqueros ahead, and a series of free throws from Micah Thomas that kept the Demons in striking distance. Ultimately, it was Izzy Miles who sealed the victory with a crucial free throw, giving Northwestern State a one-point lead as time wound down.
The game's conditions were not specified, but the atmosphere in Prather Coliseum likely contributed to the Demons' performance, as they played in front of their home fans. Viewers were treated to a showcase of resilience and determination from both teams, culminating in a dramatic finish that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | RGV -2.5 | 143.5 o -112 / u -108 | UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros -155 · Northwestern State Demons +130 |
Leaders
- PointsMicah Thomas17Northwestern State Demons
- AssistsMicah Thomas5Northwestern State Demons
- ReboundsWillie Williams8Northwestern State Demons
- PointsFilip Brankovic19UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros
- AssistsJaylen Washington7UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros
- ReboundsMarvin McGhee III6UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros
Recent form
Northwestern State Demons
Last 10: 4-6Streak W173.1 scored · 73.9 allowed per game3-3 at home
- W79-78vs Texas A&M-Corpus Christi IslandersJan 10
- L72-74at Nicholls ColonelsJan 6
- W74-68vs LSU New Orleans PrivateersJan 3
- L64-74vs Stephen F. Austin LumberjacksDec 31
- L61-76vs Lamar CardinalsDec 30
- W108-55vs Southern New Orleans KnightsDec 20
- L70-79at California Golden BearsDec 13
- W76-68at SE Louisiana LionsDec 7
- L54-92at McNeese CowboysDec 6
- L73-75vs Southern JaguarsNov 29
UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros
Last 10: 4-6Streak L171.1 scored · 66.7 allowed per game1-2 away
- 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
- L50-58vs UT Arlington MavericksDec 12
- W63-50vs Austin Peay GovernorsDec 7
- L60-73at Stephen F. Austin LumberjacksDec 4
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 | Northwestern State Demons |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 24-53 | 20-49 |
| Field goal % | 45 | 41 |
| Three-pointers | 8-25 | 6-20 |
| Three-point % | 32 | 30 |
| Free throws | 7-7 | 18-23 |
| Free throw % | 100 | 78 |
| Rebounds | 29 | 32 |
| Offensive rebounds | 4 | 7 |
| Defensive rebounds | 25 | 25 |
| Assists | 16 | 12 |
| Steals | 8 | 7 |
| Blocks | 2 | 2 |
| Turnovers | 14 | 13 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 12 | 12 |
| Fast-break points | 5 | 9 |
| Points in the paint | 28 | 24 |
| Fouls | 20 | 10 |
| Largest lead | 14 | 2 |
| Lead changes | 5 | 5 |
| Time in front | 90 | 4 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half31-28Koree Cotton makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half32-28Koree Cotton makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half32-30Chris Mubiru makes 10-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half35-30Julien Gomez makes 23-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half35-31Micah Thomas makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half35-32Micah Thomas makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half35-33J.C. Riley Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half35-34J.C. Riley Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half38-34Zae Blake makes 23-foot three point jumper (Jaylen Washington assists)
- 2nd Half40-34Jaylen Washington makes driving layup
- 2nd Half41-34Jaylen Washington makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half41-36J.C. Riley Jr. makes driving layup
- 2nd Half43-36Filip Brankovic makes layup (Koree Cotton assists)
- 2nd Half44-36Filip Brankovic makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half45-36Filip Brankovic makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half45-38Willie Williams makes layup
- 2nd Half48-38Filip Brankovic makes 24-foot three point jumper (Zae Blake assists)
- 2nd Half48-41Micah Thomas makes 25-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half49-41Filip Brankovic makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half50-41Filip Brankovic makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half52-41Koree Cotton makes 15-foot jumper (Jaylen Washington assists)
- 2nd Half55-41Zae Blake makes 24-foot three point jumper (Julien Gomez assists)
- 2nd Half55-42Micah Thomas makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half55-43Micah Thomas makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half55-45Willie Williams makes layup (Izzy Miles assists)
- 2nd Half55-48Chris Mubiru makes 24-foot three point jumper (Micah Thomas assists)
- 2nd Half55-49Micah Thomas makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half55-50Micah Thomas makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half55-52Willie Williams makes layup (Micah Thomas assists)
- 2nd Half55-54Willie Williams makes layup (Micah Thomas assists)
- 2nd Half57-54Kwo Agwa makes layup (Jalen Ricks assists)
- 2nd Half57-56Micah Thomas makes 9-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half59-56Zae Blake makes driving layup
- 2nd Half59-58Willie Williams makes 5-foot floating jump shot (Micah Thomas assists)
- 2nd Half61-58Filip Brankovic makes layup (Zae Blake assists)
- 2nd Half63-58Jaylen Washington makes driving layup
- 2nd Half63-61Chris Mubiru makes 24-foot three point jumper (Micah Thomas assists)
- 2nd Half63-62Micah Thomas makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half63-63Micah Thomas makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half63-64Izzy Miles makes free throw 1 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Northwestern State Demons, below favours UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros.
Venue
- Prather ColiseumNatchitoches, LA
- Attendance810
- OfficialsBrent Dugas, Brent Simmons, Shaun Seales
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