The Prairie View A&M University men's basketball team led throughout in defeating Jackson State 63-56 Saturday night in the William J. Nicks Babydome.
 
Troy Thompson came off the bench to lead the Panthers (4-14 overall, 1-3 SWAC) with a season-high 17 points along with four rebounds. Tevin Bellinger scored 12 and added a season-high six assists as the Panthers scored first and never trailed in the contest.
 
"We've been prepared to play every game, but I think we had a renewed since of urgency tonight because I think we're better than an 0-3 team," said Prairie View A&M head coach Byron Smith. "We played more of a complete game, had some mental lapses late which we shouldn't and we have to correct that. Nonetheless, I'm pleased with the effort."
 
Thompson scored 15 points in the opening 20 minutes as the Panthers shot 58 percent from the field in the first half, their second-high percentage of the season. Thompson made four of the PVAMU's seven three-pointers in the half. Zachary Hamilton made-to-back threes in the opening minutes of the game to stake the Panthers to a 10-2 lead less than four minutes into the contest.
 
After Jackson State (7-11, 3-2) cut the lead to four, a 9-0 provided Prairie View A&M its largest lead of the half. A three-point play by Tevin Bellinger capped the run as the Panthers led 30-17 with just over five minutes to play in the first half on their way to a 37-27 halftime lead.
 
Prairie View A&M took control in the first 10 minutes of the second half. The lead built to as many as 19 points, 55-36, on a three-point play by Shay'rone Jett with 10:27 remaining. Jackson State cut the PVAMU lead to five on two separate occasions, but the Panthers made six free throws in the final 1:27 to claim the win.
 
"We really rely on our veteran guys to be able close and finish," said Smith of his team down the stretch as seniors Bellinger and Avery Lomax made key free throws in the final minute. "That's one of the things we hadn't been able to do this season. Last week against Texas Southern, we were unable to finish, which would have been big win for us. I was proud of the effort tonight and the way we were able to finish."
 
The Panthers return to action Monday night against Grambling State at 7:30 p.m. in the Babydome in the Purple Out Game. Fans are encouraged to wear purple to the game, listen live on KPVU 91.3 FM or watch live on pvpanthers.com.

#pvamumbb