NEW ORLEANS (Interstat) — Texas-Rio Grande Valley avenged a December loss with a decisive 95-76 victory over New Orleans in a Southland Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at Kiefer Lakefront Arena.

The Vaqueros built a 17-point halftime lead behind efficient offense, shooting 13 for 31 from 3-point range overall. Koree Cotton led Texas-Rio Grande Valley with 21 points. Filip Brankovic added 24 points. Jakevion Buckley scored 25 points for the Privateers.

New Orleans, which defeated the Vaqueros by 16 points on Dec. 29, never recovered from the first-half deficit before an announced crowd of 401. Texas-Rio Grande Valley improved to 13-11. New Orleans fell to 11-14.