Texas Southern seized control of the contest late in the first half and had a strong second half start as TSU head coach Johnny Jones won his 400th career game following a 93-78 win over Prairie View A&M inside the H&PE Arena on Saturday night.
The win clinched third-place for TSU in the SWAC standings as the Tigers will open tourney play against No. 6 Jackson State on Thursday, March 14 at 2 p.m. in Birmingham, Ala.
Playing in his final game inside H&PE Arena, it was fitting that PJ Henry set the tone for TSU as the senior opened with 14 points within the first 13:37 as TSU led 30-26. TSU was 5-of-10 from the three-point line and forced five turnovers during that span but PVAMU was just as hot as Charles Smith IV scored nine points for the Panthers. It would be nip-and-tuck over the next few minutes as both teams shot above 40 percent but TSU began to create separation in the physical contest as they closed out the first half on an 11-5 run en route to a 47-38 halftime lead as Henry had 19 first-half points.
Both teams were even to open the second half as TSU led 52-45 with 18:03 left. However, TSU’s Grayson Carter hit a three-pointer which sparked a 17-6 run over the next 5:14 as Deon Stroud led the charge with seven points. Holding a 69-51 lead, TSU began to cool off from that point as PVAMU began to heat up as they went on a 17-9 run to get within 78-68 with 6:31 left.
Zytarious Mortle would end the drought with a layup for an 80-68 margin as the Tigers regained control of the contest from that point en route to sweeping Prairie View A&M in the season series for only the fourth time since 2012.
Henry led TSU with 21 points while Jonathan Cisse and Stroud scored 15 each. Carter and Mortle scored 10 while Cisse dished out six assists.
OTHER TIDBITS
- TSU swept PVAMU for only the fourth time since 2012
- TSU head coach Johnny Jones won his 400th career game
- Five players scored in double digits
- Three players (Jonathan Cisse, Grayson Carter, Zytarious Mortle) grabbed seven rebounds
- TSU honored five seniors (Henry, Cisse, Carter, Chris Craig, Deon Stroud) during pregame
- TSU improved to 10-3 at home against PVAMU since 2012
- TSU will face Jackson State in the SWAC Tournament for the third time in four years on Thursday
Courtesy: TSUSports.com