PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas - The Prairie View A&M men's basketball team rallied from behind to defeat Jackson State 55-51 on Saturday in the Baby Dome.
 
"Great game," head PVAMU men's basketball coach Byron Smith said. "Great environment and great atmosphere. Great defensive match. Jackson State came in with a great game plan, one of the better defensive teams in the league and they didn't disappoint the home crowd. We just had some big, clutch plays late by some clutch players and we were able to get the victory."
 
The Panthers trailed for the first time of the 2019 year, as they trailed behind JSU in the opening minutes 5-2 with 15:30 left in the period. Despite trailing throughout the first half, PVAMU began to chip away at their deficit in the final minutes of the period.
 
Prairie View A&M trailed by as many as 12 points, but were able to stay in arms reach of the Tigers as they went into halftime only down eight points at 31-23.
 
Senior guard Gary Blackston led the team with eight points on 3-4 shooting going into the half.
 
The Panthers went on an 8-0 run led by junior guard Gerard Andrus, giving them the 35-35 tie for the first time of the game, with 11:43 left in the second half. The second tie of the game came at 47-47, after two made free throws from Blackston.
 
PVAMU took their first lead of the game at 48-47 after a made free throw from junior guard Antoine Lister with 3:59 left in the game.  After back-and-forth action the Panthers took their second lead at 50-49, on a jumper by junior forward Devonte Patterson at the 2:31 mark.
 
Ultimately, a made three point shot from senior guard Dennis Jones with 15 seconds left in the game sealed the 55-51 victory.
 
Andrus led the team with 12 points, and seven rebounds. Lister followed behind with a season high 11 points and five rebounds, while Blackston recorded his second double-double in a row, and fourth of the season, with 10 points, and 10 rebounds.
 
Smith said being defensive and getting off to a good start will be key for the Panthers in their next matchup.
 
"We just have to defend the basketball a little bit better. I think our turnovers are down and I was pleased with that, we just have to get off to a better start. This is the probably the first game where we started slow, so we have to start off fast against Grambling."
 
The Panthers complete their three-game home stretch on Monday, Jan. 21 as they face Grambling State University at 6:30 p.m. for MLK and Black Out the Dome Day.