PANTHERS SET TO BATTLE TOUGH FOE IN ROAD FINALEPrairie View A&M is close to uncharted territory as they close out their conference road swing versus second place Alabama State in the Acadome on Monday night. Winners of six straight, the Panthers are on their longest winning streak since 2008-09 and a win tonight would mark the team's longest winning streak since a 12-game streak during the 1972-73 season under former coach Bill Cofield. In addition to the historical aspect, a win would also move the Panthers within a game of second place in the SWAC standings.
HONOR A FALLEN PANTHERHead coach
Byron Rimm II and the Prairie View A&M family lost a former Panther recently in former student-athlete Mayol Riathin. Riathin, who played for the Panthers from 2011-2013, died recently in a car accident which took place in the state of Wyoming. Riathin wore No. 33 during his tenure at PVAMU and the number will not be worn this season as it was originally assigned to
Nolan Wilson.
THE SERIESIn the overall series since Alabama State joined the SWAC and began playing the Panthers in 1983, the Hornets lead with a 48-20 overall mark. Since 2001, ASU has won 19-of-25 against the Panthers as they swept the season series last year and ended PVAMU's four-game winning streak over them. PVAMU head coach
Byron Rimm II has an overall mark of 8-9 against ASU with season sweeps over the Hornets in 2006-07, 2009-10, 2011-12 and 2012-13 campaigns.
ABOUT THE PANTHERSPVAMU senior guard
Montrael Scott, who surpassed the 1,000-point plateau in his career on Jan. 24 at Mississippi Valley State, is PVAMU's top scorer and ranks fourth in the SWAC with 15 points per game. Senior guard
Tre Hagood follows with 11.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.9 assists while fellow senior guard
John Brisco ranks 16th in the SWAC and third on the team in scoring with 10.4 points per game. Junior post
Karim York is the team's third-leading rebounder with 5 per game along with chipping in 9.3 points. The Panthers have also received inspired play from senior center
Reggis Onwukamuche as the Missouri City, Texas native ranks second in the SWAC with 1.5 blocked shots per outing and third with 2.4 offensive rebounds per game. He has accounted for 21 of the team's 31 blocked shots over the past four games.
