For the first time this season, Prairie View A&M captured a double-digit victory as Jayrn Johnson scored a career-high 35 points in an 85-65 victory over Alabama A&M on senior night in the Baby Dome.
Monday's contest started off as a track meet as both teams went up-and-down the court in a hurry. AAMU's Ladarius Tabb scored five of the team's first 10 points as AAMU led 10-6 early on. The Panthers responded to the pace as Admassu Williams scored four early points but AAMU began to create more separation as Rashawn Green hit his second trey of the night for a 13-6 Bulldog advantage.
The Panthers would get claw back as Karim York and Jayrn Johnson hit consecutive layups to narrow the deficit to 13-10. AAMU hit a basket but Williams logged a three-point play the old-fashioned way to draw the Panthers back within two at 15-13 at the 13:37 mark. Two free throws by York tied the game at 15-all nearly a minute later and York once again made his presence felt as his layup gave the Panthers at two-point lead (17-15) and began a surge of offense the team needed desperately due to the fact that AAMU was already in the double bonus at the 9:17 mark of the first half.
Playing in his final game in the Baby Dome, Johnson took the game into his own hands as he scored 15 of the next 19 points for the Panthers as the team surged ahead 36-24 with 6:04 remaining. Johnson played lights out during that span as he hurt AAMU with a variety of midrange jumpers coupled with a trio of three-pointers.
A tear drop in the paint by Jordan Giddings coupled with a free throw extended PVAMU's lead to 41-26 at the 3:47 mark. The team's defensive effort would also fuel offensive opportunities as the lead grew to 17 (43-26) after Tevin Bellinger's steal led to a pair of free throws. With 30-plus fouls called in the first half, free throw shooting would become a factor late in the half as AAMU hit four late free throws along with picking up some key offensive rebounds to extend several of its offensive possession as they went on a 6-0 run to narrow the gap to 45-34.
PVAMU interim head coach Byron Smith made it a point to end AAMU's late run as he instructed the Panthers to slow down the offense on its final possession. The team heard him loud and clear as they ran a perfectly executed play which ended with a York layup with seven seconds remaining for a 47-34 halftime advantage.
Zachary Hamilton opened the second half with a bang as back-to-back treys gave PVAMU an early 17-point lead at 53-36. After a traveling violation by AAMU, Johnson would get in on the act as his three-pointer in front of the PVAMU bench extended the lead to 20 at 56-36 less than two minutes in. However, AAMU would continue to press as back-to-back PVAMU turnovers led to four quick points by the Bulldogs and a 14-point deficit at the 16:40 mark.
The lead went back to 18 quickly as Hamilton hit two free throws coupled with a nifty turnaround jumper by York in the paint. The Panthers would lead comfortably over the next few minutes but missed offensive possessions and the turnover bug would haunt them as AAMU went on a 9-0 run to cut the lead to single digits at 63-54 with 9:10 remaining.
The Panthers turned to Johnson once again to make things happen during the lull. Johnson drew a pump fake and was fouled en route to two free throws. On the ensuing possession, Johnson picked off a pass and scored on a fast break layup for a 67-54 lead with 7:48 left. After two AAMU free throws, Johnson set a career high in points (31) as his trey gave the Panthers a big lift and a 70-56 advantage.
Monday's win also has tournament implications as the Panthers claimed the season tiebreaker over AAMU as they currently hold sixth place in the SWAC.
Prairie View A&M will have a short week as they're back in action Thursday night as they'll travel to Alcorn State for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off.
