PRAIRIE VIEW, TX -- Jessica Soders hit the game-tying free throws with 32 seconds left on the clock to send the game to overtime, but the Prairie View A&M women's basketball team was outscored 18-11 in the extra period and fell 75-68 to the Southern Jaguars at home Saturday.
The Panthers (9-13, 5-7) had three players score in double figures, led by Ryann Payne, who had 21 points, seven rebounds, four assists and five steals. Amauri Williams tacked on 14 points and six rebounds and Jada Roberson helped out with 11 points.
Jessica Soders pulled down three offensive rebounds to lead an offense that racked up second-chance opportunities for Prairie View A&M, grabbing 10 boards and turning them into 17 second-chance points.
Prairie View A&M forced 20 Southern turnovers while committing 18 themselves in Saturday's game. The Panthers turned those takeaways into 21 points on the offensive end of the floor. Payne's five steals led the way for Prairie View A&M.
How It Happened
After falling behind 6-4, Prairie View A&M went on a 5-0 run with 4:31 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Roberson, to take a 9-6 lead. The Panthers then surrendered that lead and entered the second quarter down 14-11.
The Panthers fought back in the second period, narrowing the deficit to 27-25 by the time halftime rolled around.
Southern continued to increase its lead after halftime, building a 32-25 advantage before Prairie View A&M went on a 6-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Williams, to trim its deficit to 32-31 with 6:26 to go in the third. Southern countered and stretched its lead to 48-39 heading into the fourth. Prairie View A&M played well near the basket, scoring 12 of its 14 points in the paint.
Prairie View A&M narrowed its deficit to 57-51 before going on a 6-0 run to even the score at 57 all with 32 seconds to go in the fourth, a score which would hold for the rest of the fourth quarter. Prairie View A&M pulled down four offensive rebounds to score nine second-chance points out of 18 total in the period
Southern then took control in overtime and won 75-68.
Game Notes
» The Panthers outscored Southern 9-18 in the fourth quarter force overtime.
» Prairie View A&M rallied from a two-point 27-25 halftime deficit to force overtime before ultimately coming up short.
» Prairie View A&M lost despite a 31-28 rebounding advantage.
» The Prairie View A&M defense forced 20 turnovers.
» Prairie View A&M cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 10 offensive boards in the game.
» Ryann Payne led the Panthers with a game-high 21 points.
» Prairie View A&M got a game-high eight rebounds from Gerlyn Smith.
