PRAIRIE VIEW — Despite a career-high 19 points by freshman Kennedy Paul, a sluggish fourth quarter derailed the Prairie View A&M women's basketball team's upset bid versus Florida in a 51-44 setback to the Gators Thursday evening in the Baby Dome.

Paul also grabbed six rebounds but was the lone Panther to score in double-figures during the defensive-minded battle. Senior Dominique Newman scored nine points and added four rebounds.

Carrying a 40-33 lead into the final quarter, the Panthers went cold from the floor, during which time the Gators managed a 15-0 run over the first 8:05 of the fourth. Though Paul snapped the Panthers' scoreless streak with a pair of baskets to bring the team within four, Prairie View A&M was unable to overtake the Gators in the final moments.
 
Paul led a 10-4 start for the Panthers over the first five minutes of play, and later freshman Kennedi Heard buried a three to give the Panthers their largest lead of the quarter at 15-8 before Florida's Lavender Briggs knocked one down from beyond the arc to cut the lead to four heading to the second.
 
During the second quarter, Prairie View A&M (2-6) endured a near five-minute scoreless stretch during which the Gators tied the game. Paul converted a jumper to put the Panthers ahead 17-15, she and Newman powered a 6-2 run as the Panthers led by as many as six. However, the Panthers allowed a 7-0 Gators run as Florida took a 24-23 advantage into the break.

Though the Panthers dominated the third quarter thanks to an 11-2 run keyed by the long ball, they were unable to fend off the Gators in the final period.
 
Heard also contributed with seven points, three assists and one block. Senior Bernesha Peters grabbed seven rebounds to go with five points and four steals.

The Panthers had 16 assists on their 19 made field goals in the game while limiting Florida to a 4-of-17 mark from three-point land.

Zada Williams led the Gators with 16 points and six rebounds. Briggs added 15 points.



Next Up:
The Lady Panthers will face Rice on Sunday, Dec. 15. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. in Houston, Texas.