EDINBURG, TEXAS – The Southeastern Louisiana University men's basketball team suffered a 68-65 loss against UTRGV Monday evening to close out week 11 of Southland Conference play on the road.
Southeastern (5-14, 2-8 SLC) dropped a three-point decision after the thrilling back-and-forth contest against UTRGV (8-11, 4-6 SLC). SLU battled back into the contest to bring the game within reach down the stretch, but could not secure the road win as the Vaqueros finished the second half shooting 50.0 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from the three-point line.
Three Lions ended the game in double-figures led by sophomore Jeremy Elyzee with 14 points, four rebounds and two steals. Elyzee stepped up for the green and gold, shooting 4-8 from the field and 6-7 from the free-throw line. Fifth-year senior Isaiah Gaines recorded 13 points and 11 rebounds, securing his second double-double of the season. Gaines finished 6-9 from the field while dishing out two assists alongside two blocks.
Jaiden Lawrence also closed out the game with a solid performance against UTRGV, claiming 11 points off the bench. Lawrence produced a spark of momentum throughout the contest, shooting 4-7 from the field and 3-6 from behind the arc. Southeastern ended the game shooting 40.4 percent from the field, 30.4 percent from the three-point line and 66.7 percent from the free throw line.
UTRGV came out to a hot start in the opening minutes of the game with a 12-1 scoring run to take control of the contest early. Marvin McGhee III (19 points) carried the Vaqueros throughout the contest with 13 points, shooting 3-7 from behind the arc in the first half alone. SLU weathered the storm and recovered midway through the half with its own 10-0 scoring run to pull back into contention, 25-22.
The Lions continued to battle as Makhi Myles (six points) stepped up in the first half, but UTRGV worked to hold onto its lead. Southeastern remained aggressive to gain 14 points in the paint as the Vaqueros fell cold late in the half, but remained with the upper hand to enter the halftime break up 31-29. The visitors ended the first half shooting 44.0 percent from the field and 30.0 percent from the three-point line while holding the hosts to 35.7 percent shooting from the field and 21.1 percent from behind the arc.
Both teams opened the second half with a different level of intensity as multiple lead changes attested to the thrilling matchup. The Lions briefly gained a 48-46 lead as Gaines slammed a highlight dunk to quicken the tempo of the game in transition. SLU continued to stack its momentum as Lawrence stepped up from the three-point line, but UTRGV responded with second chance opportunities to regain its largest lead of the half with five minutes remaining behind Koree Cotton (15 points) and Filip Brankovic (13 points), 61-51.
Southeastern made one final push down the stretch with seven fast break points in the second half to cut the margin within three-points. Peter Hemschemeier (seven points) answered when needed, draining a three-pointer in the final 12.0 seconds to give SLU a chance. The Vaqueros missed one free throw in the final seconds to gain possession, but could not convert at the buzzer.
The Lions gained a 30-22 edge in paint points, but UTRGV capitalized on easy points at the free throw line, 17-25, to claim the win.
SLU will return to the University Center for a two-game home stretch against conference rivals Nicholls and McNeese. The Lions will host the Colonels Saturday, Jan. 24 at 3:30 p.m. before McNeese visits Hammond, America Monday, Jan. 26 at 6 p.m. Both matchups will be streamed on ESPN+.
HARDWOOD CLUB/S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the basketball program are encouraged to join the Hardwood Club. Lion alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letterwinners. All membership fees and donations to Hardwood Club are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern basketball program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Basketball, follow @LionUpMBB and @DavidKieferSLU on Twitter, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.
TICKETS
For ticket information, please contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.LionSports.net/tickets. Southeastern is implementing mobile ticketing as the primary source for securing tickets. All tickets will be available via e-mail in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet.
