Vaqueros rebound in WAC victory over Mavericks

Vaquero senior forward Zariah Sango races for a rebound against the University of Texas at Arlington graduate forward Adéla Válková and senior forward Avery Brittingham during tonight’s game in the UTRGV Fieldhouse on the Edinburg campus. Abigail Ollave/THE RIDER
Sophomore forward Charlotte O’Keefe looks to get past Maverick graduate forward Adéla Válková in an attempt to make a 2-pointer during tonight’s game against the University of Texas at Arlington in the UTRGV Fieldhouse on the Edinburg campus. Abigail Ollave/THE RIDER
Graduate forward Ashton McCorry lays the ball up for 2 points during tonight’s game against the University of Texas at Arlington in the UTRGV Fieldhouse on the Edinburg campus. Abigail Ollave/THE RIDER

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Women’s Basketball Team defeated the University of Texas at Arlington Mavericks 64-62 in a back-and-forth clash tonight at the UTRGV Fieldhouse on the Edinburg campus.

This brings UTRGV’s record to 3-13, and improves their Western Athletic Conference record to 2-5.

The Mavericks bring their record to 8-9, while their WAC record now stands at 4-3.

The Vaqueros put together an impressive rebounding performance as a unit, netting 12 offensive and 32 defensive rebounds. Sophomore forward Charlotte O’Keefe led the team with 12 rebounds. Junior forward Kade Hackerott recorded 11 rebounds and scored 15 points in a double-double performance, her third of the season.

Hackerott spoke to the media about her rebounding performance.

“[Rebounding is] just a way I help the team,” she said. “I have that ability, so really, I have to go do that, it’s just something that can help my team win. [Coach Lord] places an emphasis on limiting their offensive rebounds, first of all, and then trying to go hit the offensive glass a little more.”

The first quarter would set the tone for the game; a back-and-forth affair with three lead changes occurring.

Scoring would open with a three from Mavericks junior guard Gia Adams. The Vaqueros responded with a layup from O’Keefe.

Another Mavericks three, this time from junior guard Taliyah Clark, would put UT Arlington up 6-2. The Vaqueros would then answer with a 3-pointer of their own from junior guard Arianna Sturdivant, bringing the score to 6-5. An extra point from Hackerott would give UTRGV the lead.

Two of the three lead changes in the first quarter occurred after the three-point play from Hackerott. With the game tied at 13, a foul on Maverick guard Masengo Mutanda would bring freshman guard Jayda Holiman to the line. Both of her free throws were good, giving the Vaqueros the lead into the first half, 15-13.

The second quarter would see the Vaqueros in the driver’s seat, as they would not relinquish the lead they gained late in the first. It would be a physical quarter as well, with 12 total fouls.

After taking a 30-21 lead on a couple of free throws from UTRGV junior guard Tierra Trotter, the Mavericks would force a couple of fouls of their own on Holiman.

UT Arlington would send Mutanda to the line, where she made three of four free throws in those opportunities. Accompanied by a three-pointer from junior guard Hannah Humphrey, the Mavericks would finish the second half on a 6-0 run, bringing the score to 30-27.

The Mavericks continued their hot streak into the second half, taking a 34-32 lead on a layup from fifth-year forward Adéla Válková. They would later go on a 5-2 run to extend their lead.

Trailing 39-34, the Vaqueros would get back-to-back three-pointers from Hackerott and Sturdivant, giving them a 40-39 lead. UTRGV would make it a two-possession game to end the third quarter, 49-45.

The Mavericks would open the fourth quarter the same way they opened the third, going on a 7-0 run to take a 52-49 lead over UTRGV.

The Vaqueros would then net back-to-back threes, this time from freshman guard Ja’Shelle Johnson and Sturdivant, giving them a 57-54 lead.

A foul on Maverick Humphrey would send Hackerott back to the line. She would make both free throws, icing the game at 64-59 with six seconds on the clock.

After a three-pointer from UT Arlington’s Adams, the game ended in a UTRGV victory with a final score of 64-62.

UTRGV Women’s Basketball head coach Lane Lord spoke to the media after the game.

“It feels great [to win],” Lord said. “… Everything that could go wrong, it’s gone wrong [this season] with injuries, to sickness, to whatever, and these guys just kept battling and battling. We’ve won two of our last three now. We’re playing much better basketball. Had a couple of freshmen really step up tonight and do some great things. All in all, it was a great team effort.”

The Vaqueros will go on the road for the next two games, going to Stephenville, Texas for their next game against Tarleton State University at 2 p.m. Saturday. Fans can livestream the game on ESPN+ or internationally via WAC International.