EDINBURG, Texas — The Northwestern State men's basketball team closes out the regular season Monday night with its first trip to the Rio Grande Valley, facing a red-hot UTRGV squad inside the UTRGV Fieldhouse.

The game tips off at 6:30 p.m. and can be streamed live on ESPN+ with radio coverage available on the Demon Sports Network and flagship station 100.7 FM KZBL in Natchitoches.

The Demons' regular-season finale has plenty of Southland Conference Tournament implications.

Northwestern (10-20, 8-13) enters the matchup alone in seventh place, one game ahead of three teams who are tied for eighth place. Two of those teams – Lamar and HCU – play one another while the third, UIW, squares off with Stephen F. Austin.

There are a plethora of combinations that can land the Demons in the tournament, but the simplest is for the Demons to win Monday. Doing so would clinch the No. 7 seed for the Demons.

Northwestern controlled much of the first half against Texas A&M–Corpus Christi on Saturday, shooting 45 percent and taking a 30–29 lead into the break.

After Micah Thomas knocked down an early second-half 3-pointer to give the Demons a 37–34 advantage, momentum appeared to be on NSU's side.

Instead, Corpus responded with a decisive 21–2 run, turning a three-point deficit into a double-digit lead in a matter of minutes.

Izzy Miles provided a steady offensive presence, attacking the rim and finishing through contact, while Willie Williams scored efficiently inside. The Islanders' physicality and shot-making in the second half, however, proved too much as the Demons shot just 32 percent after halftime.

Now Northwestern turns its attention to a UTRGV (17–13, 13–8) team that has been one of the league's hottest over the past month.

The Vaqueros have won 11 of their last 13 games, including an eight-game winning streak during that stretch. Notably, the Demons were the last team to defeat UTRGV before that run began.

"It's the farthest trip in conference," head coach Rick Cabrera said. "We're taking a sleeper bus. So it's a business trip, it's not a vacation. We're looking to go and play against probably one of the hottest teams in the league."

UTRGV enters Monday's matchup fresh off a 63–55 win over East Texas A&M on Saturday. Four Vaqueros scored in double figures, led by Julien Gomez's 14 points on 4-of-7 shooting.

Defensively, UTRGV limited the Lions to 32 percent from the field and just 21 percent from 3-point range.

The Vaqueros lead the Southland Conference in 3-pointers made per game (9.3) and assists per game (16.6), combining perimeter efficiency with strong ball movement. Their ability to space the floor and share the ball has fueled their climb to third place in the conference standings.

"Their coaching staff does a phenomenal job, especially offensively," Cabrera said. "They compete defensively, but they have weapons at every position."

The Demons head to Edinburg for the first time in program history to face UTRGV, and the first meeting this season delivered late-game drama. Northwestern earned a 64–63 win on Mike McConathy Court after erasing a 14-point deficit.

Following a Zae Blake 3-pointer that pushed the Vaqueros' lead to 14, the Demons answered with a 13–0 run in a three-minute span to climb back into the game.

In the closing seconds, Chris Mubiru buried a 3-pointer to cut the lead to two. Miles then jumped a passing lane for a steal, leading to Thomas tying the game at the free-throw line.

After a missed UTRGV shot and a scramble for the rebound, Miles was fouled chasing down the loose ball and hit one of two free throws to give Northwestern a 64–63 lead — and ultimately the win.

Before that eight-game surge, UTRGV's last loss came in that matchup in Natchitoches — something Cabrera knows will not be forgotten inside their home building.

"Before they went on that win streak, their last loss was to us on free throws," Cabrera said. "So they're a good basketball team. But we have confidence. We know we can play with anybody in this league."

Monday also marks Northwestern's first appearance inside UTRGV's home arena. While the Vaqueros have been strong at home, Cabrera emphasized that the focus remains internal.

With UTRGV surging and Northwestern State looking to finish the regular season on a strong note, the Demons understand the challenge awaiting them in South Texas. If the first meeting is any indication, the margin could once again be razor thin.

"The crowds aren't really going to beat you," he said. "It's your preparation. If you don't have preparation, that's what beats you."