After a disappointing finish against the University of Alabama-Birmingham, the Prairie View men’s basketball got back into the win column in exciting fashion against the Navy Midshipmen in South Padre Island, Texas.
The Panther offense began the game stale.
Nothing was falling for the Panthers as they shot a forgettable 6-27 (22.2%) from the field in the first half.
Navy did very little to take advantage of the poor first half of the Panthers.
The Midshipmen also struggled from the field shooting 8-27 (29.6%).
Even with their poor play, Navy led at the half 24-15.
After the half, the Panthers would catch fire in the second half.
The Panthers’ comeback would be led by the defense, which would cause three early second half steals to spark a 7-3 run.
As Prairie View continued to climb, Navy would not lay down.
Midshipmen guard Kendall Knorr answered a mid second-half run with a three-pointer to keep the Navy lead at 8.
Senior Panther guard Jourdan DeMuynck had a large hand in the Panther comeback, as he scored three consecutive baskets to pull the Panthers within one point, 37-36 with 4:39 remaining.
After several lead changes, the Midshipmen would miss three consecutive shots. With Prairie View up by one point, Navy went to the free throw line to take the lead.
Navy sophomore Brandon Venturini went to the free throw line with four seconds remaining in the game.
Venturini hit one of two free throws, setting the stage for a dramatic finish, as Prairie View grabbed the rebound and began the fast break. Venturini hit one of two free throws, setting the stage for a dramatic finish, as Prairie View grabbed the rebound and began the fast break.
Senior guard Carl Blair hit a game-winning basket from the lane to complete the Panther comeback 42-40.
DeMuynck had a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds, and added two steals. Junior forward Jules Montgomery also contributed in a large way with 12 rebounds.
In the finale game of the tournament, the Panthers would face the Knights of Fairleigh Dickinson University.
With the Panthers falling behind early in the first half. With the score 9-8, Prairie View would find their stride to turn that early deficit into a 28-17 lead.
In the second half the wheels would fall off the Panther offense. Their first half hot shooting percentage of 50% decreased to 41.67% in the second half. Fairleigh Dickinson outscored Prairie View 48-27 in the second half.
A major blow to the Panther attack was poor free throw shooting, especially in the second half. Prairie View went 7-16 (43.75%) from the free throw line.
Four Panthers scored in double figures. Blair led the way with 18 points and seven assisits, followed by DeMuynck who scored 15 points, senior guard Ryan Gesiakowski and junior forward Josh Eleby who both contributed 10 points.
The Panthers return home Wednesday for a huge intra-state game against the University of Houston in William J. Nicks Fieldhouse.