EDINBURG – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros men’s basketball continue their winning streak at six games, the longest winning streak in 12 years, defeating University of Texas Permian Basin Falcons 93-80 on Tuesday at the UTRGV Fieldhouse.
The Vaqueros (12-14) last time winning six in a row came in the 2007-2008 season back when they were UTPA, with seven wins in a row.
The Vaqueros tied a season-high of 93 points this season, originally set earlier in the season against Howard Payne on Nov. 11.
Senior Lesley Varner II continued his dominance performance this season, led the game for the Vaqueros with 23 points, six rebounds and dished out two assists. While, graduate student Jordan Jackson added 19 points with a career-high tying three-pointers and a career-high tying four assists.
In total, the Vaqueros hit a season-high 14 three-points. The last time the Vaqueros hit more three-pointers was in 2016 with a program record of 19 three-pointers against Our Lady of the Lake University.
Deaunte Lee led the Falcons with 16 points. Pat Dembley scored 13 points and had four assists. While, Miles Washington and Donoven Carlisle both contributed 10 points in the game.
Varner and redshirt sophomore Sean Rhea put UTRGV first on the board jumping out to a 5-0 lead. The Falcons went on with a 15-4 run and to take a 15-9 lead.
The Vaqueros came back hitting four of their next six three-points giving them a 16-6 run to take a 25-21 lead.
With a four point lead 35-31, Varner hit a three that sparked a Vaqueros 14-5 run to end the half with a 49-36 lead.
Vaqueros junior guard Chris Freeman came off with a huge bench performance of 13 points.
UTRGV resume Western Athletic Conference play on Saturday at 8 p.m. against New Mexico State (12-0, WAC play).
The Vaqueros finish the season with three road games (New Mexico State, CSU Bakersfield and Grand Canyon) before season finale at home versus California Baptist on March 7.
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