BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – After 21 years the 2019 SWAC Men's Basketball team of Prairie View A&M won its second championship and for the first time in the history of the school's program won both the Regular Season and Championship in the same year. 
 
"This was truly a remarkable night and I am so proud of this team and the accomplishment we made tonight," said head men's basketball coach Byron Smith."  All I can do is thank the man upstairs for making this happen.  We had a rough start but the ending is a fairy tale within it's self"
 
The Panthers earned this honor by defeating Texas Southern University 92-86 on Saturday in the 2019 SWAC Championship Tournament.
 
"I can't put into words just how proud and happy I am for our student athletes and our coaching staff," said Vice President /Director of Athletics.  "They were special tonight and part of an amazing game to watch.  Our athletes, our band, the Panther Dolls as well as the cheerleaders, along with all the students that were here representing the #PVNATION were simply amazing."
 
The championship is the second in program history and the first since 1998. PVAMU basketball will play in the NCAA Tournament and will learn its destination Sunday at 5 p.m. with a selection Show Watch Party in the Panther Room in the Athletics Administration Building watching the live telecast on ESPNU.
 
Down early in the first half, a three pointer by Dennis Jones and free throw from senior guard Gary Blackston cut the score down to 7-4. A layup and free throw from junior forward Devonte Patterson pushed the score to 18-7 with 14:40 left on the clock.  The team was down by 13, when a three pointer from junior guard Gerard Andrus brought the deficit down 20-10. PVAMU then went on a 16-2 run, and took their first lead of the game at 26-24 with 8:19 remaining in the first half.
 
The team trailed by one, before a jumper from Taishaun Johnson restored the team's lead at 28-27. They then trailed by one once again, until free throws from Jones and a jumper from Patterson gave PV a 32-29 lead over TSU. The game tied at 32-32, then again at 34-34, until a layup and free throw from Blackston pushed the team ahead 37-34 at the 4:09 mark.
 
Back-to-back baskets from Blackston, along with a layup from Jones, extended PV's lead 43-36. The Panthers went into the half leading 45-41 after two free throws from junior guard Darius Williams. Blackston led the team with 10 points.
 
PVAMU went on a quick 6-0 run to begin the second half and took a 51-41 lead over the Tigers. The game was tied 53-53, before a 7-0 run led by junior guard Antione Lister lifted PV 60-53. The game was tied 67-67, then again at 69-69, before a layup from Andrus brought the team within reach at 72-71.
 
Following a layup from Williams, a made three pointer from Chancellor Ellis gave PV a 76-75 advantage over TSU. Both teams tied at 77-77, then at 80-80 and 81-81, before a layup from Jones pushed PVAMU ahead 83-81 with just over two minutes left to play.
 
The game was tied twice more at 83-83 and 85-85, when four straight made free throws from Johnson and Patterson pushed the team ahead 89-85. Three more made free throws coming from Jones closed the game out with a 92-86 victory.
 
Blackston and Jones both led with 17 points apiece. Andrus followed with 12 points, six rebounds and one assist. Johnson and Williams also contributed with 11 points apiece.

All-Tournament Team
Dennis Jones, Prairie View A&M
Devonte Patterson, Prairie View A&M
Gary Blackston, Prairie View A&M (Tournament MVP)