The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros women’s basketball team secured a decisive 63-41 victory over the Houston Christian University (HCU) Huskies Thursday in a Southland Conference (SLC) matchup at the UTRGV Fieldhouse. A dominant second half propelled the Vaqueros to their ninth conference win of the season.
Vaqueros Dominate on Both Ends
Senior forward Charlotte O’Keefe led all scorers with 19 points and recorded her seventh double-double of the season, adding 11 rebounds and a season-high tying five assists. Junior guard Jalayah Ingram contributed 18 points, six rebounds, and six assists, while freshman forward Chazlyn Dettor added 14 points, shooting 6-for-10 from the field. Redshirt junior Erin Maguire also had a standout performance, tying her career-high with seven assists.
The Vaqueros’ defensive intensity was evident from the start, holding the Huskies scoreless for the first 3:30 of the game. HCU struggled to find offensive rhythm throughout the contest, with no players reaching double-digit scoring. Tove Caesar led the Huskies with nine points, followed by Madison Hurta with seven.
Second-Half Surge Seals the Win
UTRGV’s shooting performance was significantly better than HCU’s, shooting 49% from the field compared to the Huskies’ 29%. The Vaqueros also capitalized on turnovers, scoring 16 points off of them while limiting HCU to just five. The third quarter proved to be pivotal, as UTRGV outscored HCU 25-9, shooting an impressive 90% from the field.
In the fourth quarter, UTRGV extended their lead to as many as 28 points, allowing them to utilize their bench and secure the victory. HCU managed a late 6-0 run, but the game was already firmly in the Vaqueros’ control.
Looking Ahead
UTRGV (12-9, 9-3 SLC) will next be in action on Saturday at 1 p.m. against UIW in San Antonio. A continued strong performance could position the Vaqueros favorably within the Southland Conference standings. It is possible that UTRGV will look to build on this momentum and continue their winning streak. However, road games often present unique challenges, and UIW will likely provide a competitive contest.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the game?
The final score was UTRGV Vaqueros 63, Houston Christian University Huskies 41.
Who led the Vaqueros in scoring?
Charlotte O’Keefe led the Vaqueros with 19 points.
Where will UTRGV play their next game?
UTRGV will play their next game at UIW in San Antonio on Saturday at 1 p.m.
What factors do you think will be most important for the Vaqueros as they continue through the Southland Conference season?
