PRAIRIE VIEW, TX --Tai'Reon Joseph totaled 23 points to help lead the Prairie View A&M men's basketball team over the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils 70-69 at home Saturday.
The Panthers (7-9, 2-1) had four players score in double figures, led by Joseph, who had 23 points and two steals. Cory Wells tacked on 14 points, eight rebounds, five assists and four blocks and Lance Williams chipped in as well with 14 points and five assists.
Prairie View A&M took advantage of great ball movement in Saturday's game, piling up 17 assists on 21 made field goals. Wells' five assists paced the Panthers.
The Prairie View A&M defense caused its share of mistakes in Saturday's game, forcing 18 Mississippi Valley State turnovers while committing 11. Those takeaways turned into 18 points on the offensive end of the floor. Joseph's two steals led the way individually for the Panthers.
How It Happened
After falling behind 7-0, Prairie View A&M went on a 5-0 run with 16:44 left in the first half, culminating in a three from Joseph, to narrow its deficit to 7-5. Mississippi Valley State answered back and added to its lead, leaving the Panthers down 37-32 entering halftime.
Mississippi Valley State kept widening its lead after intermission, constructing a 48-41 advantage before Prairie View A&M went on a 7-0 run, finished off by Joseph's layup, to even the score at 48 all with 14:07 to go in the contest. The Panthers kept the rally going and took the lead for good on Michael James' three-pointer with 00:00 left to grab the 70-69 victory. Prairie View A&M got a boost from its bench in the period, as non-starters accounted for 13 of its 38 total points.
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Game Notes
» The Panthers shared the ball well, recording an assist on 81 percent of made baskets.
» The Prairie View A&M defense forced 18 turnovers.
» The Panthers were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, tallying eight blocks as a team.
» Joseph led the Panthers with a game-high 23 points.
» Prairie View A&M got a team-high eight rebounds from Wells.
