BOX SCORE
BOX SCORE
LUBBOCK, Texas - Prairie View A&M battled until the final buzzer in an emotional 89-79 loss to Texas Tech in the season-opener in Lubbock Friday night.
Led by senior transfer point guard Carl Blair, who set the pace with 19 points, four assists and two steals, the Panthers traded blows with their Big 12 opponent despite missing returning starters Jourdan DeMuynck and Demondre Chapman.
In his Prairie View A&M debut after transferring from the University of Oklahoma, Blair slowed the game down for the Panthers by taking his man off the dribble and getting to the rim. He was 15-for-17 from the foul line and his ability led to points for sharp-shooter Ryan Gesiakowski, who had 18 points off of a 5-for-10 shooting performance from the floor.
After trailing 51-38 at halftime, the Panthers fought back and cut their deficit to 59-51 after Gesiakowski drained a three with 16:22 remaining with an assist from Blair. Mayol Riathin then hit a put-back layup to cut it to 59-56 with 15:40 left in the second half.
However, Texas Tech pulled away and managed to hold the Panthers at bay for the remainder of the game with timely baskets by big man Jordan Tolbert, who scored 16 points and went 7-7 from the floor.
Prairie View A&M also saw a heroic performance by second-year guard Montrael Scott, who provided a defensive spark and 10 points off of the bench when Blair needed to take a spell due to leg cramps.
The Panthers (0-1) look to bounce back with a win against Schreiner at 4 p.m. on Sunday in their home opener at the Baby Dome.
