The Lady Panther Basketball team hosted the Golden Lions of Arkansas Pine Bluff Saturday Jan. 26. The game was highly competitive throughout the first half, as the Lady Panthers took a 36-35 lead at the break. In the second half the Lady Panthers came out strong as they took a double digit lead at the 17:32 mark. The Golden Lions didn’t give up though, as they brought the game to 64 all with 5:30 remaining. Senior guard Shavonne Smith hit a jumper to give Prairie View enough cushion to knock off the Golden Lions with a 78-67 win.
Sophomore guard Candice Thomas continues to dominate SWAC as she led the team with 21 points. Candice Thomas is currently second in the SWAC for points and first in field goals. Gaati Werema added 16 points to the contest, and shot a remarkable 50 percent from the field. Chari Smith, Shavonne Smith, and Twila Stokes added nine points apiece for the Lady Panthers.
In Monday’s game, the Lady Panthers took on the Delta Devils of Mississippi Valley State. The Lady Panthers came out offensively strong as they took a 25-6 lead mid-way through the first half. At the half Prairie View led 34-11, holding MVSU to just 13 percent shooting from the floor. In the second half the Lady Panthers continued to demolish MVSU as they shot a blazing 66 percent from the arc. The Devils were never in striking distance during the game, as Prairie View walked away with a 70-30 win. Freshman guard Dominique Smith played at a high level as she led all scorers with 18 points, missing just one shot from the field the whole game. She shot six of seven from the field and three of four from three point range. Candice Thomas contributed 12 points, shooting five of seven from the field and dishing out six assists. Gaati Werema chipped in with 11 points and four rebounds.
The Lady Panthers will look to go undefeated in conference play, as they get set to travel to Alabama and take on Alabama A&M and Alabama State. Game time is 5:30 p.m. on Feb 2nd and 4th.