PRAIRIE VIEW —  Behind a standout effort from freshman Kennedi Heard, the Prairie View A&M women's basketball team won their third Southwestern Athletic Conference game in four tries, defeating Mississippi Valley State University 81-47 on Monday night in the Baby Dome.


"The second quarter was the tell-tale sign of the game," PVAMU Assistant Coach Sean LeBeauf said. "Our defensive intensity picked up, and it helped with our offensive pace. We did a good job of turning up the heat and it turned into a great offense, and that set the pace for the rest of the game."


Heard led the team with a double-double, nabbing a career-high 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting and 10 rebounds. Senior Bernesha Peters followed with 12 points (nine in the first half), three rebounds, two assists and two steals. Graduate transfer Tatyana Perez also contributed nine points -- all in the first half -- eight assists and one steal. 
 
The Panthers (6-13, 3-4 SWAC) were up 4-0 early in the first quarter but the Devilettes managed to draw even on a pair of occasions. With the game knotted 8-8, Perez led Prairie View A&M on an 8-4 run, burying a three as the frame wound down to send the Panthers into the second quarter up 16-12. 
 
Two back-to-back layups at the start of the period extended the lead to 20-12, going on to dominate the Devilettes in the period on the strength of a 56 percent shooting clip from the field. Following a three-ball by Mississippi Valley, the Panthers put together a 9-0 run that pushed the lead to 14. Prairie View A&M closed the half with a flourish, outscoring the Devilettes 15-4 to take a commanding 46-21 lead to intermission.
 
The Panthers kept their foot on the gas in the third, as a three pointer from freshman Diana Rosenthal opened things up for them. The Devilettes responded with a basket of their own, but a quick 7-0 run extended Prairie View A&M's lead to 32. Despite a small push from Mississippi Valley, Heard continued to pose problems on the inside as a pair of baskets brought the score to 60-31 en route to a 64-37 lead for the Panthers going into the fourth.

"(Heard) didn't have to do a whole lot," LeBeauf said. "She just kept it simple and played with great intensity. She didn't really get the ball in the half court set, so she went to get it. She also got seven offensive rebounds, and that made the game easier for her."

The Panthers cruised from there, starting with a jumper from freshman Kennedi Green. The Devilettes got no closer than 31 points, as the Panthers iced the game from the line as well as with layups from Green and junior Jhyrah Cobb.

Next Up:
The Panthers will begin their two-game Alabama road trip with a matchup against Alabama State on Feb. 1 in Montgomery, Ala. before a Feb. 3rd contest at Alabama A&M.