This past week the men’s basketball program at Prairie View A&M University needed to defeat the Alcorn State University Braves at home to make their third consecutive appearance in the SWAC Tournament. Doing more than just making it, the Panthers were one step ahead of the game by defeating both ASU and the Southern University Jaguars to claim the seventh seed.
In the first contest against ASU the Panthers scored 55 points in the first half after firing up 50 attempts making 22 on Thursday night. PVAMU shot 46 percent from the field and 38 percent from the land of three.
The 96-77 win would assure PVAMU a tournament birth in the SWAC tournament.
The Panthers were led by senior Brandon Webb who went for 27 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks. Duwan Kornegay knocked down 23 points and 13 rebounds, while Michael Griffin had 13 points and 12 assists and Trant Simpson finished with 22 points.
Shaunvanta Ingram led the Braves (4-24, 4-14 Southwestern Athletic Conference) with 17 points, and Ian Francis added 14.
In the second contest the Panthers defeated SU in convincing fashion Saturday night 72-57. On Senior night, seniors Kornegay and Webb dominated the broads bringing down 29 rebounds between the two. PVAMU outrebounded the Jaguars 47-32 for the night. Although the Panthers didn’t shoot better in any aspect of the contest they attempted 23 more field goals shooting 40 percent.
Michael Griffin scored 21 points while Tim Meadows chipped in with 13 points for PVAMU. Along with 14 rebounds, Webb had a solid night with 12 points and two more blocked shots.
Brandon White led the Jaguars (3-15, 4-26) with 14 points while Blake Sanford added 11.
PVAMU will play NO. 2 seed Jackson State University in Garland, Texas Wednesday, March 9 at 12:30 pm. The Panthers finished the regular season (10-21, 7-11 Southwest Athletic) (9-21, 6-11 Southwestern Athletic Conference).
SU did not qualify for the conference tournament.