Building Trust

The UTRGV Men’s Basketball team lost 89-87 to Northern Arizona University on Nov. 20 at the South Padre Island Convention Center with the game coming down to the wire. “We just couldn’t get our feet underneath us and we had some different lineups out there because of foul trouble and, you know, just couldn’t sustain [it]. … I’m proud of our effort but we’ve got to learn from this game and grow more,” UTRGV Men’s Basketball head coach Matt Figger said.

UTRGV Freshman forward Donte Houston Jr. shoots a two-pointer in the paint against Northern Arizona University forward Carson Towt. Houston scored three points and snatched three rebounds Nov. 20 at the South Padre Island Convention Center.

The Vaquero, UTRGV’s mascot, cheers on the basketball team while sitting courtside. A total of 1,340 people attended the Battle on the Beach event on South Padre Island Nov. 20 at the South Padre Island Convention Center. The UTRGV Pep Band performs during a timeout by the Vaqueros in the first half of the game Nov. 20 at the South Padre Island Convention Center.

UTRGV freshman forward Donte Houston Jr. (left) executes a pick and roll for junior guard Justin Johnson against the Lumberjacks Nov. 20 at the South Padre Island Convention Center. Johnson led the Vaqueros with a career-high 35 points and 10 rebounds for his first career double-double. “His buy-in [with the basketball team] has been the biggest thing and now, hopefully, he sees that there’s opportunity … and be able to continue to grow and have a voice and take on more of a leadership role,” Figger said.

UTRGV graduate forward Marek Nelson dunks the ball from an alley-oop assist from graduate guard Mike Adewunmi against Northern Arizona University players Nov. 20 at the South Padre Island Convention Center. Nelson finished the game with 10 points, four assists and one rebound.

UTRGV junior guard Ricky “Doc” Nelson attempts a game-tying layup with seconds on the clock against Northern Arizona University defenders. Lumberjack guard Jalen Cone hit the game-winning free throws to give NAU the 89-87 lead with 5.88 seconds remaining.

UTRGV junior guard Ricky “Doc” Nelson hits the court floor in frustration after missing a game-tying layup while graduate guard Mike Adewunmi (left) and graduate forward Marek Nelson attempt to comfort him.

Q&A with a UTRGV Tennis Player

by Karina Rodriguez