PRAIRIE VIEW, TX --Braelon Bush scored 24 points and Tanahj Pettway added 20 and the Prairie View A&M men's basketball team defeated the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils 64-56 at home Monday.

The Panthers had three players score in double figures, led by Bush, who had 24 points, five assists and two steals. Pettway added 20 points and two steals and Zaakir Sawyer chipped in as well with 12 points and two blocks from the bench.

The Prairie View A&M defense caused its share of mistakes in Monday's game, forcing 19 Mississippi Valley State turnovers while committing 10. Those takeaways turned into 27 points on the other end of the floor. John-Paul Ricks led the way individually for the Panthers with three steals.

How It Happened

After jumping out to an 11-10 advantage, Prairie View A&M went on a 9-0 run with 14:58 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from Sawyer, to increase its lead to 20-10. The Panthers then added one point to that lead by the end of the period and entered halftime with a 35-24 advantage. Prairie View A&M did most of its first half damage in the paint, scoring 24 of its 35 points close to the basket.

Prairie View A&M kept its lead intact before going on a 7-0 run, finished off by Sawyer's layup, to grow the lead to 60-51 with 4:03 to go in the contest. The Delta Devils narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Panthers still cruised the rest of the way for the 64-56 win. Prairie View A&M capitalized on nine Mississippi Valley State turnovers in the period, collecting 13 points off those turnovers.

Game Notes

» Prairie View A&M never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.
» Bush, Pettway, and Sawyer combined to account for 88 percent of the Panthers points.
» The Prairie View A&M defense forced 19 turnovers.
» Bush had a game-high 24 points and Pettway added 20.
» Prairie View A&M got a team-high seven rebounds from Marcel Bryant.