Last Thursday UTRGV men’s basketball defeated Kansas City 76 to 64. In the first game at the UTRGV fieldhouse in over a month head Coach Lew Hill wanted his team to protect home court against Kansas City and snap a five game losing streak.
I just told them [the team] just got to come back home and protect your home, and we did it tonight. Guys played well, played together, played physical and tough, really did a good job defensively.”
For UTRGV 3 players scored in double digits. Graduate guard Jordan Jackson and Senior forward Lesly Varner II both had 17 points. For Junior guard Javon Levi scoring 15 points and 12 assists, which is the 4th time this season Levi has double digit assists and after the game showing praise for his teammates.
You know I just trust my teammates. If they [opponent] trap me or they pressure me I just get the ball up. Trust my teammates to make the right plays cause I know they will.”
This game was also the first home game for transfer Shea Rhea scoring 4 points and getting 6 rebounds. Rhea joined UTRGV over the winter break. Rhea hasn’t played in over a year and a half, according to Coach Hill, but Coach Hill already wants to see Rhea have an impact on the team.
I told him the 3 things you can do defend, rebounds, and run. Until he really gets in a grove, once he gets in a groove he can really score too, but when you haven’t played in a long time you got to get in a rhythm, but he can do those 3 things now that’s what he’s doing for us.
The next game for UTRGV Men’s Basketball will be on the road against WAC opponent Seattle U with a conference record of 2 and 1, on Thursday January 16th at 9 pm. For more updates and highlights visit goutrgv.com.
Reporter Luis Rubio
