Jackson State pulled away in the second half as they ended PVAMU's two-game winning streak with an 80-66 victory in the Baby Dome Monday night.
Jackson State would lead for nearly six minutes into the first half but the Panthers went on a 7-2 run over the next two minutes to claim a 12-8 lead following Ja'Donta Blakely's layup at the 13:06 mark. The run would die quickly as the Panthers were their own worst enemy over the next few minutes as they committed four straight turnovers during a three-minute span. However, the team made up for their lack of offense with a strong defensive presence as they also held JSU scoreless during the same time.
Charleston Dobbs hit a pair of free throws with 9:38 left to end the drought for a 14-10 margin and the Panthers did just enough to hold off JSU for the next three minutes until Chace Franklin's two free throws for an 18-18 tie. Jordan Giddings answered with a pair of free throws to regain the lead but JSU's Raeford Worsham scored the next six points to move the Tigers on top 24-20 at the 4:39 mark. Malik Amos hit a trey to draw the Panthers within 24-23 and began a barrage of treys as JSU's Kaven Bernard and Jordan Giddings exchanged treys for a 26-all tie. Worsham once again was a thorn in PVAMU's side with a jumper and the Panthers were held to only two points the remainder of the half as the Tigers outscored them 5-2 to lead 33-28.
An Admassu Williams bucket closed the gap to 36-32 midway less than two minutes into the second stanza but the Tigers responded with a 7-0 run to jump ahead 43-32 with 16:27 remaining. Giddings and Tevin Bellinger willed the Panthers back into the contest as they led a 7-1 run to get the team back within five (44-39) at the 13:18 mark but the Tigers broke the game open as they outscored the Panthers 19-7 over the next six minutes for a 63-46 margin with 7:04 left on the clock. JSU would push its lead to as much as 19 and were never threatened as PVAMU would draw no less than 14 the remainder of the contest.
Giddings led the Panthers with 18 points along with 16 from Williams and 10 from Amos. Williams also led the Panthers with five rebounds.
The Panthers head to Pine Bluff, Ark. on Saturday to face the Golden Lions of UAPB.
