Blackston with 29, Prairie View downs Texas Southern 96-82

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas -- Gary Blackston scored 18 of his 29 points in the first half as Prairie View A&M dominated early to beat Texas Southern 96-82 on Saturday night.

Blackston and Zachary Hamilton each drained three 3-pointers early in the first half as part of a 33-15 start for the Panthers (9-15, 6-4 Southwestern Athletic Conference) that also included a 3 by Troy Thompson and two dunks by JD Wallace. They stretched it to 53-34 at intermission.

Prairie View led by double figures throughout the second half and a Blackston layup gave the Panthers their biggest lead, 90-67, with 3:20 to play. Texas Southern got as close as 94-80 in the final minute.

Hamilton finished with 26 points on 9 of 15 shooting for the Panthers. Wallace added 17 points and led with 13 rebounds and Thompson had 10 points, five rebounds and five assists.

Donte Clark scored 27 points to lead the Tigers (6-17, 6-4). Derrick Bruce had 19 and Lamont Walker 17.