image via Kyndall White
Courtesy of Prairie View Athletics
67
Winner PVAM
55
Lehigh
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| PVAM | 27 | 40 | 67 |
| Lehigh | 29 | 26 | 55 |
Prairie View A&M is dancing on.
Behind a dominant performance from Dontae Horne and Cory Wells, the Panthers powered past the Lehigh Mountain Hawks, 67-55, Wednesday night at University of Dayton Arena in the NCAA First Four.
With the win, Prairie View A&M advances to face No. 1 seed Florida Gators men’s basketball on Friday, March 20 at 9:25 p.m. ET at Benchmark International Arena marking the program’s next step on the national stage.
Horne, Wells Lead the Charge
Horne delivered a game-high 25 points, adding seven rebounds and four steals in a standout all-around effort. Wells recorded a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Lance Williams contributed 10 points, two steals, and two blocks.
The trio combined for 54 of Prairie View A&M’s 67 points, fueling an efficient and balanced offensive attack.
Turning Point
After trailing 29-27 at halftime, Prairie View A&M seized control in the second half.
Clinging to a 43-41 lead, the Panthers used an 8-0 run — capped by a Wells jumper — to create separation at 51-41 with 8:36 remaining. From there, Prairie View A&M maintained control and closed out the 12-point victory.
Defensive Dominance
The Panthers made their presence felt defensively all night:
- Forced 16 turnovers while committing just nine
- Converted take aways into 18 points
- Held Lehigh to 36.2% shooting
- Recorded nine blocks as a team
Prairie View A&M also controlled the paint, scoring 22 points inside.
Game Notes
- Wells posted his double-double (19 pts, 11 reb)
- Horne led all scorers with 25 points
- Prairie View A&M tallied nine team blocks
- The Panthers forced 16 turnovers
Up Next
Prairie View A&M (19-17) now turns its attention to a major test against top-seeded Florida, with a chance to continue its postseason run on Friday night in Tampa.
