SWAC-LEADING PVAMU PANTHERS TO HOST DEFENDING CHAMPION GRAMBLING

PRAIRIE VIEW, TEXAS (January 21, 2019) The Prairie View A&M men’s basketball team will end its three-game home stand against defending SWAC Regular Season champion Grambling Monday at 6 p.m. in the William J. Nicks Building.

It’s the Blackout Game for Monday’s doubleheader that begins with the 4 p.m. women’s game between the two of the three teams tied for first in the standings. The PVAMU women (6-8 overall, 3-1 SWAC) will face defending SWAC Tournament champion Grambling (7-10, 4-1) and can be viewed live at pvpanthers.com/women.

The men’s game between the Panthers (6-11, 4-0) and GSU (9-9, 3-2) can be viewed online as well at pvpanthers.com/men.

PVAMU has won five straight games, including four straight in league play. The five-straight wins ties the longest streak in the Byron Smith era, set last season. (Alabama St. 80-74 2/24/18, Alabama A&M 71-58 2/26/18, at Alcorn 79-69 3/1/18, at Southern 77-69 3/3/18 and vs. Alcorn 87-71 3/6/18.)

The Panthers rallied to win over Jackson State, only leading twice in the last four minutes. Gary Blackston had his second straight double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Gerard Andrus scored 12 points and seven rebounds, and Antoine Lister came off the bench to score 11 points and five rebounds. PVAMU held Jackson St. to only 20 points in the second half, tied for the fewest points allowed in any half this season.

After losses to open league play at Alabama St. (L 53-74) and at Alabama A&M (60-65 ot), Grambling posted wins against Southern (69-63), Alcorn St. (77-42) and at Texas Southern in overtime (88-87). Dallas Polk-Hilliard (12.8 ppg/t-9th SWAC) and Ivy Smith (11.5 ppg/t-14th SWAC) lead the Tigers in scoring. GSU is second in the SWAC in both scoring offense (71.0 ppg), scoring defense (69.9 ppg), and field goal defense (43.4%), and is first in field goal defense (39.6%).

The Panthers lost both meetings to Grambling last season, and PVAMU is 2-4 in the Smith Era against GSU.

Texas Southern falls to Grambling State 66-59 in SWAC semifinal

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

HOUSTON, TEXAS (June 9, 2018)  Without Player of the Year Joyce Kennerson, the Texas Southern University Lady Tigers basketball team fell to Grambling State dashing their hopes of a repeat title on Friday in the SWAC championship semifinals. The Grambling State Lady Tigers avenged last year’s tournament final loss, defeating the defending champions Texas Southern 66-59 to advance to the 2018 SWAC Women’s Basketball Tournament championship game.

The Tiger’s had a rough first half which culminated into in-fighting and insults being hurled at each other and subsequently having to face the wrath of their Coach Johnetta Hayes-Perry whom it seemed had simultaneously gotten the in check and lit a fire under their backsides. They took the lead and were playing strong, even taking a lead into half time, but by the third quarter Grambling had all the momentum taking back the lead and TSU just couldn’t bounce back.

The MVT, Most Valuable Tiger, was the Pink haired warrior number 44 Taylor Robinson who had 8 rebounds and a game leading 17 points in 20 minutes of game play followed closely behind by Kaitlyn Palmer with 16 points and 4 rebounds in 40 total minutes. Grambling’s shining star was Jasmin Boyd who put up 19 points with 4 rebounds in 26 minutes. However, their defensive monsters Shakayla Hill with 14 rebounds put up 15 points and Monisha Neal with 10 rebounds contributed 11 points.

Grambling will face a tough opponent in the #1 seed Southern for the Women’s Championship, with their Defensive player of the year Briana Green and Coach of the year Sandy Pugh.

Houston Cougars dominate Grambling State in 47-0 win

John O'Korn (5) threw for 200 yards and
one touchdown against Grambling State.
Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2014 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (September 7,  2014) The Houston Cougars came into TDECU Stadium on Saturday evening looking for their first win in their new on-campus stadium. Little did anyone comprehend on that September 6, 2014 evening that it would be such a complete and total victory.

Capitalizing on a totally ineffective Grambling offense and tallying 477 yards of total offense, the Cougars run away from the Tigers with a 47-0 win in front of 30,081 fans.

As a team, Houston rushed for 295 yards on 40 carries and scored three touchdowns, while passing for 202 yards and one touchdown.

It was a complete team effort of the Cougars, with seven players carrying the ball and seven players catching the ball to contribute to the offensive effort.

Kicker Kyle Bullard connected on four field goals of 42, 38, 35, and 21 yards to lead the scoring for the Cougars. He also added five extra points to his scoring total.

Running back Kenneth Farrow carried the back 13 times for 133 yards for one touchdown while Javin Webb accounted for 72 yards on eight carries.

Quarterback John O'Korn completed 14-of-25 passes for 200 yards and one touchdowns.

Houston head coach Tony Levine discussed O'Korn's play with the media in the post-game press conference:

“He played well. I thought he was more confident in his throws tonight. He will come in tomorrow and sat that I missed that throw, I missed that throw, I had a poor read. He is his own biggest critic but again that is what we are looking for in our program is improvement from game to game.”

Greg Ward Jr. and Billy Cosh also saw game time as the quarterback.

The Cougars started off the game by scoring their first touchdown a mire 38 seconds into the contest, when Ward, Jr. scored on a 12-yard run, followed by a Bullard kick, to give Houston a quick 7-0 lead.

Bullard followed that with first two of his four of his field goals, while scoring runs by Farrow and Ryan Jackson added to the Houston score.

Ward Jr. added a touchdown pass from O'Korn right before the half to give the Cougars a 34-0 as both teams headed to the locker room.

Bullard's last two field goals and a Vincent Hall fumble recovery, which he carried into the end zone for a touchdown rounded out Houston’s scoring in the game.

Houston win next face BYU on Thursday, September 11, 2014 in Utah.

Houston Cougars down Grambling State, 87-47 in men's basketball action

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2012 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 17, 2012) The Houston Cougars climbed to 3-0 for the season Saturday night with a 87-47 win over the Grambling State Tigers in front of 3,178 fans at Hofheinz Pavilion in Houston.

The win gave the Cougars their second consecutive 3-0 start under head coach James Dickey.

Three Cougars score in double figures, with sophomore guard Joseph Young coming off the bench to lead the team with 23.

Sophomore forward TaShawn Thomas contributed 14 points, with freshman forward Danuel House adding ten.

Young was efficient from the floor, contributing with five assists and two rebounds in only 21 minutes of play.

The Cougars hit 62.1% from the free throw line and 46.3% from the field.

Houston also controlled the defensive end of the court with seven take-a-ways, seven blocked shots, and 12 steals.

Rebounding was a bit better than the previous two games with the Cougars totaling 45 rebounds, but was limited to 15 coming on the offensive end of the court.

Thomas led the Cougars with eight rebounds, seven defensive and one offensive, along with two blocks and two steals.

Young also was perfect from the free throw line, connecting on eight-of-eight shots.

With the loss, Grambling State fell to 0-5 for the season.

The Cougars will have a quick one day turn-a-round as the face Louisiana College on Monday evening with a 7:00 p.m. CST tip-off at Hofheinz Pavilion.

Grambling Downs Alabama St. 8-5 at MLB Urban Invitational

Four errors by Alabama State allowed Grambling
State to score six runs in the top of the 12th inning.
Photo by Robert H Kelly-TexSportPublications,
Copyright 2012, All Rights Reserved.

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2012 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (February 18, 2012) In a game that was tied in the bottom of the ninth inning, Grambling State University (2-0) scored six runs in the top of the 12^th to down Alabama State University (0-2) 8-5 in the second game for both teams in the MLB Urban Invitational at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

Alabama State scored two runs in the seventh inning to take a 2-1 lead and was headed for the win when Grambling tied the score in the top of the ninth.

Alabama State connected for three runs in the bottom of the 12^th but it was not enough to overcome the Tigers’ six-run inning.

The name of the game was errors and they were all off the gloves of Alabama State.

The Hornets’ shortstop Emmanuel Marrero and pinch hitting first baseman Lloyd Kelly each committed two errors for the four error total.

Tiger starting pitcher Richard Bautista hurled 7.1 inning, giving up two earned runs off three hits while striking out three.

Relief pitcher Michael Martin as credited with the win; pitching 1.1 innings while giving up three earned runs off three hits and striking out two.

The Hornets’ Greg Matthews earned the loss after giving up six runs, three of them earned, off five hits in the top of the 12^th.He also walked two while striking out four.

Grambling State will next face Prairie View A&M on Sunday, Feb. 19 with a 6:00pm start time.

Alabama State will take on Southern University at 2:30pm on Sunday.

Both games will be played at the Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy  at Sylvester Turner Park in Houston.

Houston Downs Grambling State 88-42 in First Game of Season for Both Teams

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2011 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 12, 2011) Starting of with a 13-0 run in the first half, the Houston Cougars totally dominated a weak Grambling State team 88-42 in the first game for both teams of the 2011-2012 season.

The Cougars were led by redshirt freshman guard Joseph Young who tallied 18 points along with seven assists.

He was aided in Houston’s offensive assault by freshman TaShawn Thomas, who scored 13 points; adding eight rebounds and five assists.

Sophomore Alandise Harris went 7-of-10 for 14 points, with senior Darian Thibodeaux and Jonathon Simmons scoring 11 each.

Rebounding was a problem all season last year for the Cougars and that situation seems to be continuing in 2011; although it does seem to be getting better.

Houston recorded 39 rebounds against the Tigers, grabbing 15 on the offensive side and 24 on the defensive end.

Houston head coach James Dickey addressed that very topic in his post game interview:

We have to do a better job rebounding. We didn’t turn the ball over asmuch tonight. Our guy’s shot selection for the most part was very good. We ran the floor well and we were active defensively. We had close to 45 deflections in the game.

Grambling was led by Raschard Boatner who recorded 15 point and four assists.

Steven Danridge contributed 10 points and nine rebounds in the Tigers’ loss.

The Cougars will get one day to rest, recuperate and prepare for their next game of the season.

They will face Utah Valley in a 7:00 PM CT match up on Monday.

Dillon Throws 4 TDs as Grambling Defeats PVAMU

DALLAS, TEXAS (October 5, 2008) Greg Dillon threw for four touchdowns as Grambling State beat Prairie View A&M 40-16 on Saturday night in the State Fair Classic.

Dillon went 15-of-20 passing for 155 yards and was also the Tigers' leading rusher with 61 yards. Larry Donnell caught two passes, both of them touchdowns for Grambling (4-2, 1-0 SWAC).

The Tigers displayed a balanced offense, rushing for 145 yards and throwing for 158. The Tigers held Prairie View to 80 yards rushing.

Mark Spivey went 14-of-27 passing for 144 yards and one touchdown to lead the Panthers (4-1, 1-1). He ran for another score. Spivey tossed three interceptions.

Donald Babers ran for 65 yards on 23 carries for Prairie View.

GRAMBLING DROPS SEASON OPENER 49-13 TO FBS FOE NEVADA

RENO, NEVADA (August 31, 2008) Grambling State came up on the short end during its 2008 season opener as the Tigers dropped a 49-13 decision to the University of Nevada Wolf Pack before a crowd of 20,078 at Mackay Stadium in Reno.

Grambling fell behind early as the Football Bowl Subdivision member Wolf Pack took advantage of a Greg Dillon interception and had little field to go as quarterback Colin Kaepernick ran it in for a 7-yard run. The Tigers regrouped on their next possession and recorded their first big play of the night when Dillon connected with a wide-open Dante Cheek for a 40-yard pass reception. Unfortunately, the promising drive fell short on fourth down after a blocked field goal.

Both teams traded possessions after the block but Nevada found its scoring touch as Kaepernick led the Wolf Pack on a four-play, 40-yard drive that was capped off by a 19-yard run by Kaepernick. However, Grambling once again began to move the ball as Dillon found Nick Lewis for a 26-yard strike and freshman Van Phillips recorded an 11-yard reverse to the UNR 28. But in similar fashion to the last drive that ended deep in UNR territory, the Tigers were stopped on fourth down and were forced to turn the ball over on downs.

The offensive highlights came to a halt as the second quarter began but midway through the quarter, Nevada's Vai Taua broke free for a 62-yard scamper to move the Wolf Pack to GSU's 3. Three plays later on third down, Taua rewarded himself for the run with a 1-yard touchdown rush up the middle of the GSU defense. The PAT was good by Brett Jaekle and the Wolf Pack moved ahead 21-0 with 6:55 left in the first half.

Grambling had its moments as the first half came to an end as a
Derrick Johnson sack led to a UNR fumble. Kendall Robinson picked up the ball
and scampered 46 yards downfield but the drive once again stalled on the
offensive end. Nevada made a big splash towards the end of the half and drove
the length of the field but the defense held ground and kept them from
attempting a field goal to close out the half.

The second half didn't begin on a positive note as the Wolf Pack drove 73 yards in nine plays to up their lead to 28-0. GSU was forced to punt on its opening possession but redeemed itself defensively when Desmond Lenard picked off a pass and returned it 61 yards for GSU's first touchdown of the 2008 season. Luis Leal's PAT was good and drew the Tigers to within three touchdowns at 28-7 but the momentum didn't last long as Nevada marched down the field once again behind the strength of its rushing attack. The Wolf Pack needed only five plays to score their fifth touchdown of the night en route to a 35-7 margin midway in the third quarter.

After the score, GSU managed to make things interesting on its next two possessions as Dillon eluded the Wolf Pack rush and connected with redshirt freshman Kenneth Batiste for a 59-yard pass reception on 3rd-and-long that ended at the 2-yard line. Unfortunately, GSU didn't get the result it was looking for as Nevada held its ground and completed the goalline stand by stopping GSU at the one on fourth-and-goal. Several plays later, UNR fumbled at its own 20 but the Tiger offense couldn't capitalize as they turned the ball over on downs.

With offense the highlight of the night, the fourth quarter didn't disappoint as UNR added two touchdowns to GSU's one. In the final stanza, Dillon drove the Tigers 66 yards in five plays and concluded the drive with his first career touchdown pass as he found Batiste for a successful 21-yard reception.

For the game, UNR finished with 629 (426 R, 206 P) total yards offensively while GSU amassed 230 (225 P, 5 R) yards. In his first-ever start, Dillon passed for 225 yards and one touchdown on 13-of-25 passing. Cornelius Walker led all GSU rushers with 14 yards on eight carries while Batiste caught six passes for 95 yards.

Taua eclipsed the 100-yard mark for UNR as he rushed for 103 yards on 12 carries. Kaepernick passed for 122 yards on 10-of-17 passing while Mike McCoy caught six passes for 67 yards.