PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas – In another tough match in order to advance to the 2019 SWAC Semi-final round on Friday the Prairie View A&M women's basketball team defeated Alabama A&M 69-56 for their first round win of the SWAC Championship tournament.

"Anytime you're having to play an opponent multiple times, it gets harder and harder every single time," Head women's basketball coach Sandy Pugh said. "We'd beaten them (Alabama A&M) twice before, but I didn't think we were very good on the defensive end tonight. Especially in the transition defense. But going into this game, I knew that A&M were going to come out charged and ready to go. It's do or die at this point. But I was happy with the overall effort. It was a total team effort."

The Lady Panthers trailed early before a made three pointer from senior guard Shala Dobbins cut the deficit down 7-3 at the 7:09 mark. A made free throw and layup from senior center Artavia Ford then brought the team within reach at 8-6. Senior guard Chelsea Tieuel then followed with a layup to push the score 10-8 with just under five minutes left in the first period.

A jumper by Ford kept PV close at 12-10, then another jumper from senior forward La'Neique Nealey kept the score steady at 14-12. After two made free throws from Tieuel, a layup from junior forward Ke'Asia Williams tied the score at 16-all with 1:31 remaining in the quarter. PVAMU went into the second quarter leading 19-16 on a made three pointer from Tieuel.

Junior guard Dominique Newman opened the second period with a layup to extend the team's lead 21-16. The teams then tied at 21-21, before a jumper from Nealey restored the team's 23-21 lead. PVAMU then went on a quick 5-0 run to take a 28-22 lead over Alabama A&M. A made layup and foul shot from Nealey then gave PV a 31-25 with 2:34 remaining in the half.

The Lady Panthers went into the half with a 34-26 lead after a quick layup and foul shot from Newman in the closing seconds of the period. Nealey led the team with 10 points.

PVAMU trailed by two before a jumper from Ford tied the game at 39-39. Dobbins closed out the quarter with a three pointer to tie the game 44-44.
PVAMU went on a 10-2 run to open the fourth quarter and took a 54-46 lead over Alabama A&M.. Back-to-back baskets from Ford gave PV a nine point lead at 63-54 with 2:29 remaining in the quarter.

Six straight made free throws in the final minute of play then allowed the team to close out the 69-56 win. PV outscored Alabama A&M 25-12 in the fourth quarter to take the win.