PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas - The Prairie View A&M Panthers men's basketball are headed to the national stage as they prepare to face Lehigh Mountain Hawks men's basketball in the opening round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament on Wednesday evening in Dayton.

Tipoff is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. EST (5:40 p.m. CT) at University of Dayton Arena, where the Panthers will look to continue their historic postseason run after capturing the conference tournament title.

Prairie View A&M earned its place in the NCAA Tournament after an impressive championship performance in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament. The victory secured the program's third appearance in the NCAA Tournament and marked another milestone moment for the Panthers.

The Panthers arrive in Dayton riding a wave of momentum after a determined run through the SWAC Tournament bracket. Prairie View A&M displayed resilience and balanced scoring throughout the championship run, ultimately punching their ticket to college basketball's biggest stage.

For the Panthers, the opportunity represents more than just another game—it's a chance to showcase the program on the national stage and compete against one of the nation's best fields.

Lehigh enters the matchup after securing its automatic bid by winning the Patriot League Tournament. The Mountain Hawks bring a disciplined style of play and postseason experience, setting the stage for a compelling opening-round contest.

The winner of Wednesday's matchup will advance further into the NCAA Tournament bracket, while Prairie View A&M looks to add another chapter to a memorable season.

Fans can follow the Panthers throughout the NCAA Tournament by visiting pvpanthers.com and Prairie View A&M Athletics social media platforms for updates, game coverage, and behind-the-scenes content as the team prepares for its national tournament appearance.