BOX SCORE BIRMINGHAM, Ala – In a fast pace action game the Prairie View A&M men's basketball team extends win streak and overcome Grambling State in a 81-71 dog fight to advance to the 2019 SWAC men's basketball Championship on Saturday.
 
Devonte Patterson led the charge on the offense to lead all players with 24 points and eight rebounds. Gary Blackston followed with 18 points, and five rebounds. Darius Williams contributed with 16 points and seven rebounds.
 
The Panthers opened the game with a quick 5-0 run, led by Gerard Andrus. The teams tied at 5-5, before PV went on a 6-0 taking an 11-5 lead at the 14:50 mark. A made jumper from Williams, extended the team's lead 13-8.
 
A made layup and foul shot by Blackston gave PVAMU a 19-14 lead, before the game was tied 19-19.  Following a free throw from senior forward Iwin Ellis, the Panthers went on a 4-0 run to end the half with a 27-24 lead. Patterson led the team with 13 points.
 
A three pointer from Blackston opened up scoring for PVAMU in the second half, giving them a 30-26 lead. A 7-2 run, led by Chancellor Ellis, had PV up 42-35 at the 12:23 mark. The team trailed 45-42, until an 8-0 run restored their lead at 50-45.
 
Dennis Jones, layup and two free throws from Williams, held a nine point lead at 63-54 at the 3:18 mark over Grambling.  The team went on its final run on free throws in the final three minutes of play, as they closed out the 81-71 victory.
 
The Panthers will return to action as they face the #2 seed Texas Southern in the ultimate rivalry game at the Ben Harris Arena, in Birmingham, Ala., for the 2019 SWAC Men's Basketball Championship on Saturday, March 16, at 5:30 p.m.
 
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