HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The Prairie View A&M Lady Panthers withstood two comeback attempts by host Alabama A&M before claiming an 81-71 win Saturday over the Lady Bulldogs.
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Jeanette Jackson and
Alexus Parker scored 22 points apiece for the Lady Panthers (13-14), who improved to 10-5 in Southwestern Athletic Conference play. Parker's 22 points marked a new career high, which she tied two weeks ago at Jackson State.
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Center
Shamiya Brooks came off the Prairie View A&M bench to post her 10th double-double in 12 games, scoring 16 points and pulling 16 rebounds.
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The Lady Panthers distanced themselves from fourth-place Alabama State, who fell 64-51 at home to Texas Southern on Saturday. Prairie View A&M's 10-5 league record puts them to games ahead of the Lady Hornets.
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Brittney Strickland scored 15 points to lead five Alabama A&M players scoring in double-figures on Saturday. Janie Myles posted a double-double for the Lady Bulldogs (6-20, 5-10 SWAC), scoring 13 points and grabbing 12 rebounds.
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In a game that featured 12 ties and six lead changes, the Lady Panthers twice built leads of 10 points or more, only to see Alabama A&M erase them. A rebound and putback by Brooks gave the visitors a 60-49 lead with 11:53 remaining in the game, but an 11-2 run by the Lady Bulldogs cut Prairie View A&M's lead to two with 9:21 remaining.
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Unfazed, the Lady Panthers responded with eight unanswered points as Jackson's layup with 5:09 remaining stretched their lead back to 70-60. The Lady Bulldogs would not come within seven points the rest of the game.
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Shaneece Stephens scored eight points and grabbed three steals for the Lady Panthers, while
Chelsey Rosier added five points. Jackson handed out six assists and registered three steals.
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The Lady Panthers return to action Monday when they visit Alabama State. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
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HIGHLIGHTS: - The Lady Panthers shot 49.3 percent (33 of 67) from the floor, which was their best game shooting 51 percent in an 85-57 win at home over Grambling State on Jan. 19.
- Brooks' 16 rebounds was one short of her career high, when she pulled in 17 rebounds in Prairie View A&M's home win over Grambling State last month.
- Parker's career high of 22 points marked the third time in the sophomore's career in which she topped 20 points, and the first time she has done so outside of Jackson, Miss.
- Prairie View A&M outrebounded Alabama A&M 41-33, and improved to 12-1 in games in which the Lady Panthers outrebound their opponent.
- The Lady Panthers outscored Alabama A&M 50-26 in the paint, and held a 20-4 advantage in fast break points.
- Head coach Dawn Brown improved her head-to-head record against Alabama A&M to 4-0. The Lady Panthers swept the season series from the Lady Bulldogs for the third consecutive year.
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TWEET OF THE GAME:
