Southern U. wins SWAC, 45-44 over Prairie View; Jags going to the Big Dance

GARLAND, Texas  --  Derick Beltran had 13 points with a late steal and breakaway layup, and Southern University got its first NCAA tournament berth since 2006 with a 45-44 victory over Prairie View in the Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament championship game Saturday.

Beltran's play with 1:41 left made it 45-38. The Jaguars (23-9) held on despite some late turnovers.

Jules Montgomery's putback for Prairie View came before before Southern's Jameel Grace stepped out of bounds. Carl Blair then hit a floating hook shot before another backcourt turnover led to Montrael Scott's floater to get the Panthers (15-19) within a point with 42 seconds left.

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