PRAIRIE VIEW, TX --The Prairie View A&M women's basketball team went into the half tied 42-42 with Mississippi Valley State, but could not pull away in the second half and fell 80-73 to the Devilettes at home Saturday.
The Lady Panthers (2-13, 0-4) had two players score in double figures, led by Crystal Schultz, who had 23 points and four steals. Cj Wilson added 17 points and seven rebounds and Marckalia Celestine added six points, 10 rebounds and three blocks.
Prairie View A&M forced 15 Mississippi Valley State turnovers. The Lady Panthers turned those takeaways into 19 points on the other end of the floor. Schultz's four steals led the way for Prairie View A&M.
How It Happened
After falling behind 4-0, Prairie View A&M went on a 5-0 run with 7:23 left in the first quarter, culminating in a three from Margan Allen, to take a 5-4 lead. The Lady Panthers then surrendered that lead and entered the second quarter down 21-17.
Mississippi Valley State kept adding to that lead, building a 31-17 advantage before Prairie View A&M went on a 10-0 run to narrow its deficit to 31-27. The Lady Panthers then kept gaining ground and tied the contest at 42-42 heading into halftime. Prairie View A&M forced six Mississippi Valley State turnovers in the period and turned them into eight points.
After intermission, Mississippi Valley State snatched a 50-46 lead before Prairie View A&M answered back by going on an 8-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Alana Shields, to grab a 54-50 lead with 5:07 to go in the third. Mississippi Valley State responded to seize a 60-59 lead entering the fourth quarter. Prairie View A&M played well near the basket, scoring 10 of its 17 points in the paint.
Prairie View A&M could not pull any closer in the fourth, losing by a final of 80-73. Prairie View A&M got up and down the court quickly in the quarter, scoring four fast break points.
Game Notes
» The Lady Panthers held the Devilettes to only 38.2 percent shooting from the field.
» The Prairie View A&M bench came alive by scoring 33 points to its scoring output.
» The Prairie View A&M defense forced 15 turnovers.
» The Lady Panthers were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, recording six blocks as a team.
» Crystal Schultz led the Lady Panthers with a game-high 23 points.
» Prairie View A&M got a team-high 10 rebounds from Marckalia Celestine.
