PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas – The Prairie View A&M University men's basketball team was victorious Saturday evening, topping Alabama State 80-74 at the William J. Nicks Arena
 
Dennis Jones led the Panthers in scoring with 23 points on 50 percent shooting from the field. The junior guard also had three assists and three steals. Zachary Hamilton tallied 15 points, six rebounds, and a pair of assists in 27 minutes of action. Gary Blackston registered 14 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, while J.D. Wallace chipped in with 10 points and seven rebounds and shot 66 percent from the floor.
 
The Panthers and the Hornets traded baskets during the opening minutes of play. Jones' three pointer tied the game at 10 with 15:49 to go in the first half. The Panthers outscored the Hornets 6-2 in the following minutes to take a 16-12 lead with 12:40 to go. The run was keyed by baskets from Jones, Hamilton and Blackston. Prairie View continued to play well on both ends of the floor, extending their lead to 13 with 6:33 left in the opening half after a nailed three-pointer from Shaquille Preston. Prairie View led by as many as 10 in the subsequent minutes, however ASU cut into the lead as the half came to its conclusion. At halftime the Panthers led 38-32.
 
The contest remained a back and forth affair in the opening minutes of the final half. A Blackston layup with 16:55 gave the Panthers a 44-38 lead with 15:33 to go in the second half. Alabama State quickly went on a run of their own, scoring five consecutive points to cut the PV advantage to one with a little more than 14 minutes left in the half. 
 
The teams traded baskets in the following minutes, and a Preston and one gave the Panthers a 59-52 lead. With less than eight minutes left in remaining in regulation, the Panthers were in possession of a two-point lead.  PVAMU extended their lead to double digits as shot attempts from Hamilton, Jones, and Preston found the bottom of the net, but ASU remained in striking distance cutting the lead to 66-63 with 3:25 on the game clock.  The Panthers responded with a 7-0 run, punctuated by a Hamilton three-pointer to give Prairie View a 73-63 advantage with less than two minutes left.  Alabama State scored two quick baskets to come within six with 1:17 left.  The Panthers put the game away in the final minute with quality defense and converted  free throws down the stretch. 
  
The Panthers will return to the hardwood for action on Monday, February 26th to take on Alabama A&M University. Tip-off is set for 7:30 pm.
 
             
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