GAME BOX SCORE
Jackson State outscored Prairie View A&M 11-3 over the final 5:36 as the Panthers dropped 70-63 nationally televised heartbreaker on Monday evening in the William Nicks Building.
Playing before an ESPNU television audience and a spirited dome crowd that topped 3,800 spectators, Jackson State threatened to blow the game away early as they stormed out to a 10-3 lead five minutes in. Prairie View fought back via two huge treys from senior Trant Simpson to remain close but JSU continued to lead as they upped its margin to 27-17 after a Raymond Gregory basket at the 5:33 mark.
The roles began to reverse from that point as Prairie View A&M found its groove as junior Beloved Rogers scored five consecutive points to begin a huge half-ending spurt. JSU added a Rod Melvin free throw after the basket but PV went back to work offensively as they outscored JSU 6-2 to go into the half down 30-28.
Both teams began the second half on even terms as six ties occurred within the first eight minutes of the half. However, Prairie View emerged from the knot and put together a 6-0 run via baskets from seniors Brandon Webb and Duwan Kornegay to claim a 54-48 advantage with 11:18 remaining. JSU closed to within two several minutes later but PV held on and pulled its lead back to five at 57-52 on a huge three-pointer from junior Tim Meadows with 9:06 remaining on the clock.
JSU answered with a trey from Jenirro Bush on its ensuing possession to draw within 57-55 but Brandon Webb went to work in the paint and scored for a 59-55 PV advantage. Unfortunately though, JSU's Cason Burk drained a trey after Webb's basket and PV couldn't answer as they suffered a huge turnover on the following possession with a little more than six minutes remaining.
Two free throws from Melvin gave JSU a 60-59 lead and the momentum at the 5:36 mark as both squads went scoreless for nearly four minutes. JSU senior Grant Maxey ended the scoring drought by converting a huge basket with 1:48 left but Brandon Webb countered with a layup as PV was down 62-61 with 1:28 left on the clock. Maxey once again converted a basket for JSU which gave them a 64-61 margin and PV missed a chance to tie as Kornegay's three-point attempt missed at the 53-second mark.
JSU was fouled on the next possession and sealed the game from that point as they went 6-for-6 from the line over the final 34 seconds.
Simpson led Prairie View A&M with 25 points, seven rebounds and three steals in 34 minutes of action. Rogers followed with 11 points while Brandon Webb scored eight points with seven rebounds and four blocks.
Prairie View A&M returns to action on Saturday as they battle Mississippi Valley State in a pivotal road matchup at 4:30 p.m. On Monday, Jan. 24, the Panthers will face Arkansas-Pine Bluff in Pine Bluff, Ark. beginning at 7:30 p.m.
