SOUTHLAND SHOWDOWN FEATURES SLIM MARGINS BETWEEN LIONS, VAQUEROS

COMMERCE, Texas (Interstat) — Two teams seeking momentum in the Southland Conference will meet Saturday when Texas A&M-Commerce hosts Texas-Rio Grande Valley at the Texas A&M-Commerce Field House.

Both the Lions (6-10) and Vaqueros (6-9) enter the contest with identical 1-2 records in league play, highlighting the narrow difference in their seasons. Each squad is looking to build on sporadic non-conference success and establish consistency as the conference schedule intensifies.

The matchup features two of the league’s most potent individual scorers. Texas-Rio Grande Valley is led by Filip Brankovic, who is coming off a career-high 29-point performance in an 80-67 home win over Incarnate Word on Monday. Over his last five games, Brankovic is averaging 17.4 points.

He will be countered by Texas A&M-Commerce’s Ronnie Harrison, who also scored 29 points in his last outing, a 73-83 road loss at New Orleans on Monday. Harrison has topped 23 points in three of his last five contests, demonstrating a similar capacity for explosive offense.

The Vaqueros snapped a three-game skid with their win over Incarnate Word, where Koree Cotton added 23 points. The Lions, however, have dropped three straight, including a 62-69 home loss to Lamar on Dec. 31.

Recent history suggests a tight game. Both teams have struggled to find wins in close conference play, with UTRGV’s last three league games decided by an average of 4.3 points and Commerce’s last two Southland losses coming by a combined 10 points.

Defensive execution may prove decisive. The Lions will aim to contain Brankovic beyond his recent outburst, while the Vaqueros must find an answer for Harrison’s scoring versatility. Both teams allow an average of over 70 points per game, indicating opportunities for both offensive leaders.

Saturday’s winner will climb to .500 in the conference and gain a valuable early-season foothold before the next wave of league games. For two teams with parallel records and similar struggles, this contest represents a critical chance to steer their seasons in a positive direction.

Tip-off is set for Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Commerce.