EDINBURG, Texas (Interstat) — A surging McNeese State squad aims to continue its dominant run in Southland Conference play when it visits struggling Texas-Rio Grande Valley on Saturday.

The Cowboys (14-3, 4-0 Southland) have won four straight league games and nine of their last 10 overall. Their high-powered offense is averaging 86.2 points per game during the conference win streak, highlighted by a 94-68 rout of Nicholls State on Monday. Guard DJ Richards, coming off a 20-point performance in that win, is a key perimeter threat for McNeese State.

The Vaqueros (6-11, 1-3) have lost five of their last six, including three consecutive conference games by a combined 10 points. Their most recent outing was a heartbreaking 64-63 loss at Northwestern State on Monday. Forward Filip Brankovic has been a bright spot, averaging 17.2 points over his last five games, including a 29-point effort in a win over Incarnate Word on Jan. 5.

This matchup at UT Pan Am Fieldhouse pits the conference’s top team against one seeking stability. McNeese State’s balanced attack, which saw Larry Johnson score 24 and Jacolb FredsonCole add 11 against Nicholls, will test a UTRGV defense allowing 71.2 points per game.

The Cowboys’ only loss since late November was a non-conference road defeat at then-Michigan. They have since shown resilience in close league wins, including a 66-64 victory over Stephen F. Austin.

UTRGV will rely on Brankovic and guard Koree Cotton, who scored 14 points Monday, to generate offense. Guard Jaylen Washington leads the team in assists.

McNeese State leads the all-time series 12-7. Following this game, the Cowboys visit Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Monday, while UTRGV hosts Southeastern Louisiana.

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. CST Saturday.