UTRGV outplayed by UT Arlington

The UTRGV Men’s Basketball Team lost 64-58 against the University of Texas at Arlington Mavericks at home tonight, bringing their record to 12-13 overall and 3-9 in the Western Athletic Conference.

UT Arlington’s record now stands at 9-16 overall and 4-8 in the WAC.

The game started with the Vaqueros falling behind by more than 20 points, without catching a break from the Mavericks scoring on them. 

Freshman guard Adante Holiman led the Vaqueros with 11 points, four rebounds and six assists.

Holiman rebounded the ball, scoring two points in the second half, which set in motion a series of plays that narrowed the gap between both teams to four points.

The game went back and forth for the better half of the second quarter. 

UTRGV players wore retro Bronc jerseys to commemorate the 1962-63 Pan American University team’s national championship and some of the original team players were brought out onto the court and celebrated.

UTRGV head coach Matt Figger said the team was “out-toughed.”

“We are our own worst enemies,” Figger said. “We can’t handle success. We can’t handle being patted on the back.”

He gave credit to UT Arlington for beating the Vaqueros twice this season, the first being on Jan. 19 with a score of 85-73.

Sophomore guard Will Johnston tied Holiman in points, with 11, and tallied one rebound and four assists.

Asked for his perspective during the last half, Figger replied he saw more effort. 

“We tried to give our best effort,” he said. “Great effort at the end, but you don’t value the game at the 17-minute mark in the first half and then value the game at four minutes [left] in the second half.”

He said all possessions should be given the same importance throughout the game.

Senior forward Justin Johnson put up 10 points and three rebounds during his 30-minute playtime.

Figger said the team just settled and that they were taking one step forward and two steps back.

“We get to line 18 times and only make 10 of 18,” he said. “Concentration is not there.”

Junior forward Ahren Freeman finished the game with eight points and 11 rebounds.

Vaquero junior forward Daylen Williams ended the night with seven points and three assists.

Junior guard Kyron Gibson tied redshirt senior Aaron Cash with 13 points, and tallied seven rebounds and eight assists.

Next up for the Vaqueros is a home match against Stephen F. Austin State University at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the UTRGV Fieldhouse on the Edinburg campus. 

Figger said Stephen F. Austin State University is coming to play off consecutive losses.

“They’ve been sitting home for seven days just stewing,” he said. “We got them our last game, same situation, and they came and chewed our face off. If we’re not ready to play, that same result is going to happen.”