LORMAN, Miss. – The Prairie View A&M men's basketball team will look to start 2-0 in SWAC play for the second straight year in a Monday night game at Alcorn.
Radio coverage on the Prairie View A&M Sports Network begins at 5:15 p.m. online at pvpanthers.com/women with the pregame show prior to the women's game between the two schools at 5:30 p.m. The men's game can be heard with a pregame show approximately 15 minutes prior to tip online as well at pvpanthers.com/men.
The Panthers never trailed for the second straight game in winning their SWAC opener at Southern. PVAMU had five players in double figures for the second time this season (Baylor).
Gary Blackston had his second double-double of the season and third of his career with 16 points and a career-high tying 11 rebounds.
Chancellor Ellis came off the bench to score a season-high 13 points, including a season-high tying four three-pointers.
Dennis Jones had season highs in both points (11) and assists (8).
Devonte Patterson was perfect from the field (5-5 FGs including a three-pointer) in scoring 11 points.
Iwin Ellis also was perfect
from the field (5-5 FGs) in scoring a season-high 10 points.
The Panthers shot 53.4 percent from the field (31-58), matching their season-best output at Santa Clara. PVAMU tied its second-highest assist total of the season (16) and tied its second-lowest turnover total (10). Prairie View A&M forced 20+ turnovers for the third straight game (27 at Winthrop, 28 vs. Huston-Tillotson, 20 at Southern). It's the second straight year the Panthers have forced 20+ turnovers in three straight games. (21 vs. Jarvis Christian 12/29/17; 20 vs. Alcorn 1/1/18; 28 vs. Southern 1/3/18).
Alcorn (4-9, 0-1) are coming off an 87-70 home loss to Texas Southern Saturday. Alcorn faced Tulsa, Vanderbilt, Miss. State and South Florida among its non-conference schedule. Maurice Howard leads the Braves in scoring (t-8th/SWAC) at 13.5 ppg, followed by Deshaw Andrews at 12.4 ppg (11th/SWAC).
Last season, PVAMU won all three meetings over Alcorn, including a home win in the first round of the SWAC Tournament. PVAMU is 4-2 against Alcorn in the
Byron Smith era (L 64-81 at ALCN 3/3/16; L 55-66 at ALCN 1/4/17; W66-60 at PV 3/4/17; W 74-62 at PV 1/1/18; W 79-69 at ALCN 3/1/18; W 87-71 at PV 3/6/18).
