UTRGV finishes regular season with win over Demons
EDINBURG — There's some good news and some better news for the men's basketball team at UTRGV.
The good news is the Vaqueros (18-13, 14-8) won their last regular season game Monday at The Fieldhouse against Northwestern State, 74-62. The first time these two faced in January, the Demons (10-21, 8-14) slipped by UTRGV by one point.
The better news is that despite the regular season being over, UTRGV will now prep for the postseason aka the Southland Conference Tournament.
Both teams looked like they were in their element as Koree Cotton started off the game with a three from the left-wing that hit nothing but net. To join in on the offensive effort, Marvin McGhee III showed off his archery skills with two 3-pointers of his own.
On the flip side, as UTRGV was taking a liking to playing around the perimeter, the Demons showed their tenacity on the inside — especially with forward Willie Williams.
Williams was the first to post points for his team with a commanding dunk — in which he had two in the half — his 8 points and 3 defensive rebounds made it difficult for the Vaqueros to run away with a lead.
If one team had a run, then the other would return the favor. At the half, UTRGV led 39-30.
UTRGV looked like they were about to run away with the game as point guard Jaylen Washington hit a three to bring the lead to 12, but the Demons caught their second wind as they closed the gap to 3.
However, whoever has a run first, then the other team has to return the favor.
UTRGV then went on their own 11-2 run that was catapulted by Kwo Agwa and Koree Cotton. Agwa had a tip-in for two and great defensive pressure, while Cotton finessed his way to some baskets — including a jam from the left-hand side.
Three Vaqueros were in double-figures for scoring, with Cotton leading the fray with 21 off of 8-14 shooting. McGhee had 13 — with 11 coming in the first half. Washington also had 13 with 8 assists.
For the Demons, Williams with his fundamental and "old-school center" type of play had a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds.
From the start of the season to now, UTRGV has really grown into their own. In the beginning, it wasn't far too uncommon for the Vaqueros to hit some 3-game skids.
However, Head Coach Kahil Fennell, as well as guards Washington and Cotton, said they all trusted the "process" that helped them propel them to the position they're in now.
"We're a fighting family and we got to continue to get better and fight in that direction," Fennell said.
Cotton, who has had a tremendous stretch of offensive games as of late, echoed that sentiment.
"I mean, it's basketball. I mean, you're going to have lows, you're going to have highs, but I always trusted this team," Cotton said. "I always got them. Me and Coach Fennell got the best relationship in the world. I trust him with my life. So, I mean, I always had no doubt that this team was gonna be great."
UTRGV's next game will be on Monday during the second round of the SLC tourney. They will await the winner between Northwestern State and Nicholls State in the first round of the tourney.
Follow P.J. on X: @PJHernandez_