PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas – The Prairie View A&M women's and men's basketball teams will open the new year hosting Alcorn State Monday opening Southwestern Athletic play at the William J. Nicks Building.
The women's game will tip at 3 p.m. and the men's game around 5:15 p.m. following the completion of the women's game. As a part of the Holiday Hoops pricing special, tickets are only $5 and kids 18 and under are admitted free for Monday's games as well as Wednesday's 5:30 p.m. doubleheader vs. Southern.
The women's team will enter Monday's contest 2-9 overall, after completing their non-conference play on December 21 when they fell to Rice 88-68.
"We are eager to get back on the court and begin conference play," said PVAMU's head women's coach Ravon Justice. "I saw a lot of good things during non-conference play, so I know we are ready to go into conference play with a positive attitude and good direction."
Shala Dobbins leads the Lady Panthers in scoring averaging 20.0 ppg. Dobbins is second in the Southwestern Athletic Conference is scoring and 33rd in the nation. She is followed in scoring by Jordyn Penniman, who is averaging 11.2 ppg. Dominique Newman is also a top scorer for PVAMU, she is averaging 10.5 ppg. Newman is also leading the Lady Panthers on the boards averaging 5.2 rebounds per game.
"We have had some pretty solid play from Dobbins, Jordyn and Newman," Justice said. "I think we just need to continue what we are doing offensively, get a little more play from other players and most definitely get some stops."
Alcorn State finished their non-conference season 4-7 overall. The Lady Braves has lost their last four contest with the last one falling to Louisiana Tech at Tech in an 87-50 loss. They are led in scoring by Tia Sanders, who is averaging 16.5 ppg. Alexus Freeman is second on the team in scoring, averaging 14.5 ppg. The team is led in rebounding by Miracle Rushing, who is averaging 8.2 rpg.
The Panther men are coming off a home-opening 110-80 win over Jarvis Christian Friday. Zachary Hamilton, the reigning Southwestern Athletic Conference Player of the Week, scored 25 points on 7-of-11 shooting including five three-pointers. Gary Blackston added 22 on 10-of-11 shooting to lead four Panthers (3-11) in double figures.
J.D. Wallace also scored 10 points and added nine rebounds, and Iwin Ellis scored a career-high 10 points. Dennis Jones scored eight points and added a career high 10 assists.
"What happened in our game against Jarvis is what we expected offensively," said PVAMU men's head coach Byron Smith, whose team had season highs in scoring, field goals made (42), three-pointers made (12), shooting percentage (60.0), and assists (23). "We scored a lot, however, we were not pleased giving up 80 points. We must improve here moving forward into conference play."
Alcorn (4-9) has posted home wins over Concordia, Rust, Fisk, and Blue Mountain, while also facing LSU, Baylor, Tulane, Iowa State, and Vanderbilt among its non-conference schedule. A.J. Mosby ranks ninth in the SWAC in scoring (13.2), third in assists (3.8), and sixth in steals (1.5). The Braves have finished second in the SWAC in the regular season in each of the past two seasons with 13-5 records, and finished as the runners-up in the SWAC Tournament last season. The Panthers and Braves split both meetings in 2017, with each team winning on its home court.
"Alcorn has been one of the most consistent teams in our league the past few seasons," Smith said. "They are well coached, and play both ends of the floor. This will be a very difficult contest for us."
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