Second Half Run Moves Alabama A&M Past Prairie View

GAME BOX SCORE

Alabama A&M opened the second half with a 16-4 run and managed to hold on as they handed Prairie View A&M a 62-53 home loss on Monday night in the William Nicks Building.

With emotions running high due to senior guard Trant Simpson facing his old team for the first time, the Panthers came out running as they led for the first 15 minutes. With Prairie View A&M ahead 20-19 at the 5:24 mark, AAMU's Jeremy Crutcher and Desmond Jackson nailed back-to-back treys to give the Bulldogs their first lead of the night at 25-20. Prairie View scored the final three points of the half on Aron Walker's layup and a Simpson free throw as they were down 25-22 at the break.

Senior forward Brandon Webb opened the second half with a bang as the Terrell, Texas native stole a pass and went coast-to-coast for a two-handed dunk that tied the game at 25-all. Unfortunately, that would be the only highlight from that point for the Panthers as AAMU heated up while PV cooled off for an extended period of time.

During a seven-minute span, the Panthers went 1-of-7 seven from the field coupled with four turnovers and found themselves down 14 at 41-27 with 12:54 remaining. Panther freshman Jeff Wherry broke the drought with a three-pointer eight seconds later and began an 8-2 surge that closed PV's deficit to eight at 43-35 with 10:56 remaining on the clock.

Alabama A&M extended its lead back to 14 three minutes later but Prairie View continued to fight as they drew to within seven (52-45) at the 3:47 mark on Brandon Webb's putback. Prairie View narrowed its gap to five on two occasions in the final minute but couldn't overcome the hump as AAMU nailed 7-of-8 free throws down the stretch to seal the win.

Michael Griffin and Brandon Webb led PV with eight points each. Griffin also tallied eight rebounds and four assists while Cortney Bell grabbed seven rebounds and blocked three shots. Three players scored in double figures for AAMU with Cornelius Hester leading the way with 15.

The second half of SWAC play begins on Saturday as Prairie View A&M battles Texas Southern at the H&PE Arena in Houston beginning at 6:30 p.m.

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