Saturday, March 10, 2018

Texas Southern punches ticket to SWAC men's final with win over Prairie View A&M

Story and Photos by Kristina McKay and Tommy Boatman
Copyright 2018 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 10, 2018) The Texas Southern University men’s basketball team did what their female counterparts could not by defeating the Prairie View A&M Panthers in the late-night men’s semifinal action, 88-74.

TSU threw a balanced scoring attack at the Panthers as Donte Clark led the charge with 22 points, five rebounds and five assists before fouling off late in the game.  Derrick Bruce scored 18 points to go with five rebounds and three assists.  
Demontrae Jefferson scored 15 points and handed out six assists while Lamont Walker came off the bench and did not miss a shot, making all four from the field, including a trio of 3-pointers and two free throws to finish with 13 points. 

The Panthers tried to keep it close, a good effort by Blackston, who scored 32 points with eight rebounds and J.D. Wallace contributed with a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds two steals and two blocks, but it proved not to be enough.

The Tigers went on a key 21-9 run over a five-and-a half minute span during the second half to gain an arm’s length lead. The game-altering run was sparked by a Bruce 3-pointer & layup and followed with a jumper and a pair of free throws by Clark.  The Tigers continued their push with on a 3-pointer from Walker to make it a 60-51 lead with 10:45 remaining in the second half. Texas Southern avenged the two regular season losses in head-to-head match ups with the Panthers. Texas Southern shot 48 percent from the floor including 67 percent after the break while Prairie View A&M was only 39 percent for the entire game. 

TSU advances to face Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the SWAC Championship. The Tigers face a tough opponent in the top-seeded Golden Lions who were awarded Player of the year, defensive player of the year and Newcomer honors. However never count TSU out, it isn’t over till the final whistle blows.

No comments: