Preview: Texas-Rio Grande Valley at Nicholls State THIBODAUX, La. (Interstat) — A surging Texas-Rio Grande Valley squad aims to extend its winning streak when it visits Nicholls State in a Southland Conference men’s basketball matchup Monday at Stopher Gym. The Vaqueros (13-11, 8-3 Southland) have won seven of their last eight games, including a 95-76 road victory at New Orleans on Saturday. UTRGV’s offense has been potent during this stretch, scoring 95 and 106 points in its last two outings. Nicholls State (10-14, 5-6) looks to halt its recent slide after dropping four of its last five. The Colonels fell 83-76 at home to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Saturday. A key matchup will feature two of the conference’s top guards. UTRGV’s Koree Cotton enters on a hot streak, averaging 17.1 points over his last eight games. He scored 21 points in just 19 minutes off the bench in the win over New Orleans. Nicholls State will counter with Sincere Malone, a workhorse who has logged 40 minutes in two of his last five games. Malone averages 12.9 points and 5.4 assists per game in conference play. He posted 18 points and five assists in the loss to Corpus Christi. The teams met just over a month ago, with Nicholls State securing a narrow 71-69 road win on Dec. 31. Malone led the Colonels with 17 points in that victory. UTRGV’s recent success has been a collective effort. Alongside Cotton, Filip Brankovic scored a career-high 24 points against New Orleans, and Marvin McGhee added 15. The Vaqueros have held opponents to 68 points or fewer in four of their last seven wins. Nicholls State, seeking consistency, has relied on Malone and Trae English, who scored 16 points in the last game. The Colonels are 5-4 at home this season. With both teams jockeying for position in the Southland standings, Monday’s contest offers UTRGV a chance to solidify its hold near the top and Nicholls State an opportunity to get back to .500 in league play. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. CST.