A Season Defined by Records
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley women's basketball team delivered a historic campaign in the 2025‑26 season, finishing with 21 victories and establishing a new program benchmark. The run was underscored by the team’s ability to set or tie 19 single‑game and single‑season records, spanning points, field goals, free throws, rebounds and assists.
Head coach Lane Lord infused the locker room with a symbolic gesture, presenting each player with a '20' charm to mark the collective ambition of reaching twenty wins. The charms quickly became a rallying emblem, reminding the squad of the milestone they were determined to achieve.
The season also highlighted standout performances from senior forward Charlotte O'Keefe, who became the only player in program history to amass 1,000 career points and rebounds, and was selected to the All‑Defensive Team for the second straight year. Freshman Jalayah Ingram complemented the effort by earning Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year honors and joining O'Keefe on the All‑Conference First Team.
Supporting the core duo, freshmen Chazlyn Dettor and Elise Horne, along with redshirt junior Erin Maguire, stepped into larger roles amid a roster plagued by injuries. Their contributions helped the team navigate a demanding schedule that included matchups against Texas State, McNeese, and TCU.
UTRGV dominated conference play, winning a program‑record 16 Southland games and securing the fourth seed in the league tournament. The team’s defensive and offensive efficiency placed it alone as the only Southland program with two First‑Team All‑Conference selections, underscoring the depth of talent.
Beyond the statistics, the 20‑win campaign forged a lasting tradition in the locker room, where the '20' charms remain a reminder of the season’s significance. Coach Lord described the achievement as the pinnacle of his tenure, while the players expressed hope that the momentum would carry forward into future competitions.