SAN ANTONIO, TX -- In an intense face-off that tested their mettle, the Prairie View A&M women's basketball team got a 16-point performance from the bench but fell 68-49 to the Incarnate Word Cardinals on the road Monday in their regular-season encounter at the McDermott Center in San Antonio, TX.
The Panthers, known for their tenacity, entered halftime trailing 22-30. Despite spirited performances from Nyam Thornton and Ash'a Thompson, who each scored 8 points, the team could not close the gap in the second half. As the game progressed, UIW capitalized on its lead, particularly shining in a third-quarter surge that saw its advantage widen significantly.
Key players for Prairie View A&M included Jelissa Reese, who not only led in assists but also grabbed five rebounds and contributed a steal, reflecting a strong all-around game. Other notable performances came from CJ Wilson and Thompson, demonstrating their skills on both ends of the court.
Thompson led the Panthers with six rebounds. Jelissa Reese also added six points and four assists.
Prairie View A&M collected 40 rebounds in Monday's game compared to Incarnate Word's 39, led by six boards from Amauri Williams. The Panthers also put in work on the offensive glass, turning 15 rebounds into 11 second-chance points.
Prairie View A&M forced 19 Incarnate Word turnovers. The Panthers turned those takeaways into 13 points on the other end of the floor. Mikayla Hutchinson led the way individually with two steals.
Looking ahead, the Panthers aim to regroup and refocus as they prepare to confront Washington in Seattle on November 22, 2024. With a current team record of 2-1, they remain optimistic about the upcoming challenges in their season. The reaction from the team and fans is one of anticipation and readiness to bounce back in the forthcoming games.
How It Happened
After falling behind 16-6, Prairie View A&M went on a 5-0 run with 1:08 left in the first quarter, culminating in a three from Crystal Schultz, to narrow its deficit to 16-11, a score that would hold for the rest of the period.
The Panthers continued to lose ground in the second quarter and faced a 30-22 halftime deficit.
Prairie View A&M's deficit continued to grow after halftime, and the Panthers faced a 49-38 disadvantage heading to the fourth quarter. Prairie View A&M played well near the basket, scoring 12 of its 16 points in the paint.
Prairie View A&M could not pull any closer in the fourth, losing by a final of 68-49. Prairie View A&M took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring six of its 11 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» The Panthers put on a passing clinic, recording an assist on 65 percent of made field goals.
» The Prairie View A&M bench made an impact by adding 16 points to its scoring output.
» Prairie View A&M lost despite a 40-39 rebounding advantage.
» The Prairie View A&M defense forced 19 turnovers.
» Prairie View A&M cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 15 offensive boards in the game.
» Ash'a Thompson and Crystal Schultz led the Panthers with eight points apiece.
» Prairie View A&M got six rebounds from both Amauri Williams and Ash'a Thompson.
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