CYPRESS, La. (Interstat) — Jalayah Ingram scored 23 points to lead Texas-Rio Grande Valley to a 61-55 women’s basketball victory over Northwestern State on Thursday night at Prather Coliseum. The Vaqueros (7-8, 2-1 Southland) never trailed after the first quarter but endured a persistent challenge from the Demons (7-7, 1-2). Northwestern State’s Nya Valentine scored 18 points and Vernell Atamah added 16. A decisive 13-9 third-quarter edge for Texas-Rio Grande Valley provided crucial separation. The Vaqueros sealed the win at the free-throw line, making 17 of 21 attempts. Both teams struggled offensively, combining to shoot just 32% from the field. Texas-Rio Grande Valley forced 17 turnovers, converting them into key transition opportunities.

CYPRESS, La. (Interstat) — In a defensive struggle defined by critical plays in the final minutes, the Texas-Rio Grande Valley women’s basketball team secured a 61-55 victory over Northwestern State on Thursday night at Prather Coliseum. The Vaqueros, who led by a single point after a low-scoring first quarter, saw that advantage evaporate completely during a dominant second-quarter surge by the Demons. Northwestern State outscored UTRGV 24-17 in the period, fueled by the backcourt duo of Nya Valentine and Vernell Atamah, to take a 36-30 lead into halftime. The game’s complexion shifted dramatically after the break. The Vaqueros locked down defensively, holding the Demons to just nine points in the third quarter—their lowest output of any period. UTRGV’s own offense, while not explosive, chipped away at the deficit, outscoring Northwestern State 13-9 to narrow the gap to 45-43 heading into the final frame. The most important sequence of the game unfolded in the fourth quarter’s closing moments. With UTRGV clinging to a narrow lead, Northwestern State’s Carla Celaya committed a crucial turnover, stolen by UTRGV’s Charlotte O’Keefe with 34 seconds remaining. Fouled immediately, O’Keefe split a pair of free throws to extend the Vaqueros’ lead. On the ensuing possession, Northwestern State’s Vernell Atamah missed a layup, and UTRGV’s Ivy Brown secured the defensive rebound, forcing the Demons to foul again. Jalayah Ingram, the game’s leading scorer, was sent to the line and calmly sank both free throws with 21 seconds left, pushing the lead to two possessions and effectively sealing the outcome. The Demons committed two more turnovers in the frantic final seconds, and Ingram added two more free throws to provide the final margin. Ingram finished with a game-high 23 points for Texas-Rio Grande Valley. Charlotte O’Keefe added 12 points and a pivotal defensive presence, while Erin Maguire contributed nine points. The Vaqueros won despite shooting only 37.7% from the field, relying on a 17-for-21 performance from the free-throw line and forcing 17 Northwestern State turnovers. Northwestern State was led by Vernell Atamah’s 16 points and Nya Valentine’s 18 points and seven assists. However, the Demons’ offense stalled after halftime, shooting just 18-for-56 for the game. Their 17 turnovers, compared to only four team assists, proved a significant hindrance. The victory improved Texas-Rio Grande Valley to 7-8 overall, while Northwestern State fell to an even 7-7. Both teams are members of the Southland Conference. Statistically, the game was a matchup of inefficient offenses. UTRGV posted an offensive rating of 91.1 points per 100 possessions, while Northwestern State managed only 80.1. The Vaqueros compensated with better ball security and superior free-throw shooting. Defensively, UTRGV recorded eight steals, led by O’Keefe’s four, and limited the Demons to 32.1% shooting from the field. The win marked a resilient road performance for the Vaqueros, who overcame a poor shooting night and a halftime deficit by clamping down in the second half and executing in the clutch from the foul line. For Northwestern State, the loss underscored offensive struggles that surfaced after a strong second quarter, as they failed to sustain momentum and were undone by late-game mistakes.

Preview: Texas-Rio Grande Valley at Northwestern State Women’s Basketball NATCHITOCHES, La. (Interstat) — A pair of Southland Conference teams trending in opposite directions will meet Thursday when the Northwestern State Demons host the Texas-Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros at Prather Coliseum. Northwestern State (7-6) enters on a modest upswing, having won three of its last four games, including a gritty 50-46 road victory at Nicholls State on Saturday. The Demons have relied on a stout defense, holding opponents to an average of 56.2 points during that four-game stretch. The Demons are led by guard Vernell Atamah, who is averaging 19.3 points over her last three contests. She scored 20 points in 40 minutes in the win over Nicholls State and has been a model of consistency, scoring in double figures in every game this season. Conversely, UTRGV (6-8) has struggled for rhythm, alternating wins and losses over its past six games. The Vaqueros are coming off a 58-47 home win over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi but fell to Nicholls State 66-56 in their previous outing. The Vaqueros will lean on the dynamic play of guard Jalayah Ingram. She is coming off a dominant performance against Corpus Christi, finishing with 21 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Ingram has showcased high-scoring ability, including a 25-point effort in a win at Stephen F. Austin last month, but her production has fluctuated. Northwestern State holds a narrow edge in the overall season record and will look to protect its home court, where it is 4-1 this season. UTRGV is 2-5 in true road games. Both teams are early in their conference schedules, making this a key matchup for establishing position in the Southland standings. The game is scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. CST tipoff on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026.