PRAIRIE VIEW, TX - In a closely contested league men's basketball encounter at the William J. Nicks Building on Monday, the Prairie View A&M Panthers suffered a narrow defeat against the Alcorn Braves, losing 70-78.
Despite a spirited comeback in the second half, the Panthers had 10 fewer turnovers than Alcorn State, they were unable to overturn the halftime deficit, where they trailed 31-41. The Panthers showcased commendable skill, with Jordan Tillmon leading the scoring for Prairie View A&M, contributing a robust 26 points, along with key defensive plays, including two steals.
Tanahj Pettway also made significant contributions with 14 points and led on the defensive front with three steals and four rebounds. Other notable performances included Braelon Bush and Marcel Bryant, who not only scored 12 and 11 points respectively but also were pivotal in defense.
Bryant pulled down three offensive rebounds to pace the Prairie View A&M offense which grabbed 11 boards and turned them into nine second chance and two blocks helped keep the Panthers in contention.
Key moments from the game included some dynamic fast breaks and precise three-point shooting by Tillmon, alongside critical steals by Zaakir Sawyer, which added to the intensity of the contest.
Looking ahead, the Panthers aim to rectify their season record currently standing at 4 wins and 15 losses, with an SWAC conference tally of 3-3. They will face Alabama State next on January 25, 2025, at Joe L. Reed Acadome in Montgomery, Alabama. This upcoming game presents another opportunity for the Panthers to leverage their strengths and seek a much-needed win in their campaign.
How It Happened
Prairie View A&M struggled out of the gate, falling behind 41-31 heading into halftime.
Alcorn State kept widening its lead after intermission, constructing a 66-48 advantage before Prairie View A&M went on a 10-0 run, finished off by Sawyer's jumper, to shrink the deficit to 66-58 with 2:55 to go in the contest. The Panthers were unable to cut further into the deficit by the end of the game, losing 78-70. Prairie View A&M took care of business in the paint, recording 20 of its 39 points in the lane.
Game Notes
» Prairie View A&M found success from beyond the arc, knocking down eight treys in the game.
» The Prairie View A&M bench came alive by scoring 31 points to its scoring output.
» The Panthers dominated the turnover battle, forcing 25 Alcorn State giveaways while committing only 15.
» The Prairie View A&M defense forced 25 turnovers.
» Prairie View A&M cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 11 offensive boards in the game.
» Tillmon led the Panthers with a game-high 26 points.
» Prairie View A&M got a team-high five rebounds from Bryant.
