Prairie View, Texas - The Prairie View A&M women's basketball team notched a 78-73 victory over Mississippi Valley State in SWAC action Monday evening at the William J. Nicks Arena.
 
Shala Dobbins led PVAMU in scoring with 30 points on 40 percent shooting from the floor in 38 minutes of action. Talisha Presley added 19 points, three assists and two steals. La'Neique Nealey posted a double-double, posting 17 points and a 13 rebounds performance.
 
The Lady Panthers got off to a scorching start, shooting 69.2 percent from the field in the first quarter. After both teams traded baskets in the early going, Prairie View A&M would pull away early after Dobbins scored eight straight points to give PVAMU an early 17-9 advantage. The Devillettes would eventually cut the lead to seven as the opening quarter came to a close.  After first quarter the Lady Panthers were in possession of a 21-14 advantage.
 
PVAMU started sluggishly in the second quarter, allowing MVSU to go on a 9-0 scoring run to take the lead with 8:22 left in the first half.  The teams would continue to battle in the second stanza, as the quarter featured a number of lead changes and ties. The lady panthers eventually finished the half strong, scoring nine points on the final 2:02 of the second quarter. The run was keyed by timely buckets from Dobbins, Nealey, and Alexis Robinson. PVAMU took a 42-35 halftime lead.
 
PVAMU's strong play at the end of the first half carried over to begin the second, as the Lady Panthers took a double digit lead with 9:13 to play in the 3rd quarter after Presley nailed a three pointer.  MVSU would slowly battle back, eventually tying the game at 52 with 3:57 left in the quarter. Nealey, Presley, and Dobbins would combine to give the Lady Panthers a 59-54 lead as the final quarter was set to begin.
 
The final stanza again saw Prairie View open the quarter firing on all cylinders, outscoring the Devilettes 11-2 in the opening 2:37 of the quarter to take their largest lead of the contest 67-56.  MVSU would quickly battle back cutting the lead to just 69-67 with 5:24 left in the contest.  Mississippi Valley would take a 71-69 lead with 3:06 left. Nealey, tied the game at 71 apiece with 2:24 remaining, draining a duo of clutch free throws. Dobbins later tied the game again converting a difficult layup attempt with less than one minute in regulation. Dobbins nailed a free throw to give the Lady Panthers a one-point advantage. With 23 seconds left, PVAMU was clinging to a 74-73 lead. Prairie View A&M would buckle down defensively and stop MVSU on their next offensive possession and Dobbins converted a layup on the other end to give the Panthers a 76-73 lead. The ensuing inbounds pass was stolen by Dominique Newman who quickly scored to secure PVAMU's second consecutive home victory.
 
 
Postgame Coach Ravon Justice said of her team's performance and composure throughout the contest  " They really played hard tonight, when we needed big baskets on the offensive end and stops on the defensive end  we really pulled through and got it done" .
 
The Lady Panthers return to the hardwood to face Alabama State in Montgomery, Alabama with a 3 p.m. tipoff.