HOUSTON (Interstat) — Two Southland Conference teams seeking momentum will meet Saturday when the Houston Christian Huskies host the Texas-Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros at Sharp Gymnasium.

The matchup features teams with nearly identical records, as UTRGV enters at 8-11 overall and HCU sits at 7-12. Both squads are coming off narrow home victories on Monday, injecting some confidence into a contest between programs looking to climb the league standings.

The Vaqueros edged Southeastern Louisiana 68-65, powered by 19 points from guard Marvin McGhee. The junior has been a key barometer for UTRGV, scoring 17 and 19 points, respectively, in their two conference wins this month, but was held to single digits in five of their recent losses. His consistency will be crucial for a team that has struggled offensively at times.

Houston Christian is riding a two-game win streak after an 82-80 victory over Northwestern State. Huskies guard Kylin Green recorded a double-double in that contest with 14 points and 10 assists, showcasing the playmaking ability that makes him a focal point. Green has averaged 13.3 points and 5.4 assists over his last seven games.

While the records are similar, recent trends diverge. UTRGV has won two of its last three, while HCU had dropped five straight before its current mini-surge. Both defenses have allowed 70 or more points frequently, suggesting a potentially up-tempo affair.

The game will be the first of two meetings between the schools in a 10-day span, with the rematch scheduled for Feb. 2 in Edinburg, Texas. For now, each looks to secure a valuable conference win on their home floor, with the Huskies aiming to protect their court and the Vaqueros seeking to build on their most recent success.

Tip-off is set for Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, in Houston.