PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas – The Prairie View A&M Men's Basketball team opened their home schedule with an 81-65 win over Huston-Tillotson Wednesday afternoon in the Rec. Center.
 
"I think we played a little bit jittery," said head PVAMU men's basketball coach Byron Smith. "We just wanted to please, do the right thing and just wanted to play perfect basketball. I think we kind of turned it over a few too many times, [but] we're going to get right back to work."
 
The Panthers opened the first half with a 4-0 lead over the Rams by the 18:44 mark. The team's stellar ball movement and aggressive play lead the Panthers by as many as 13 points with 13:57 left in the period.
 
PVAMU began to slow down in the closing minutes of the half, allowing the lead to be cut to as little as one point, as HTU began to pick up steam. However, the Panthers were able to go into halftime ahead 37-32 after back to back buckets from junior guard Gerard Andrus. 
 
Andrus led the team with 14 points on 6-7 scoring heading into halftime.
 
PVAMU opened the second half on a 6-0 run, extending their lead 43-32. The team's steady offensive efforts, as well as their defensive rebounding, was able to keep a lengthy lead throughout the minutes of play.
 
The Panthers led by as many as 20 points before eventually taking the 81-65 victory.
 
Andrus collected 22 points and nine rebounds, while senior guard Gary Blackston followed behind with 18 points, seven rebounds adding five assists. Junior guard Darius Williams also contributed with 15 points and three rebounds.
 
As a team the Panthers recorded a season-high 22 assists with a season-high of 33 made field goals.
 
"We're going to be a really good basketball team," Smith said. "I don't know when, hopefully soon, but we're going to be a really good team this season. I feel good about this one."
 
The Panthers are heading back on the road as they travel to Baton Rouge, La., to open conference play against Southern on Saturday, Jan. 5 for a 5:30 p.m.