Scott Scores 1,000th Point, Panthers Win Third Straight Game As PVAMU Defeats Mississippi Valley State

First Win In Mississippi Delta Since 2010

ITTA BENA, Mississippi -- Montrael Scott entered the 1,000-point club in style as his double-double and big shot in the closing seconds secured a rare win in the Mississippi Delta as PVAMU claimed a 72-65 margin over Mississippi Valley State.

The Panthers never could shake off the Delta Devils early in the first half as there were three ties within the first 17 minutes.  However, the Panthers turned the heat up over the final three minutes as Tre Hagood's two steals and four points by Scott keyed a 12-5 run en route to a 38-31 PVAMU halftime advantage.

As head coach Byron Rimm II predicted, MVSU would battle back with scrappy play as they outscored the Panthers 12-6 over the first four minutes of the second half to trim PVAMU's lead to 44-43.  The Panthers would hold on to the lead by the thinnest of margins from that point as MVSU closed to within 54-53 at the 10:16 mark but once again, a balanced team effort sparked by Hagood's four points gave PVAMU a 64-55 advantage following a 10-2 surge.

Despite a nine-point margin with 5:04 remaining, the lead was far from safe as the Delta Devils heated up and closed to within 66-64 following a 9-2 run that was capped by a steal and dunk from MVSU's Jeffrey Simmons.  

After the dunk, Hagood provided the next three points via the free throw line as PVAMU held on to a slim 68-64 lead at the 55-second mark.  MVSU's DeAngelo Priar would counter with 1-of-2 free throws from the line with 48 ticks left to close within 68-65 but Montrael Scott hit a clutch jumper with 15 seconds left to give PVAMU a two-possession lead at 70-65. 

Priar missed a trey on the ensuing possession and Scott put the nail in the coffin with a pair of free throws with six seconds left for the win.

Five players scored in double figures led by Scott's 18 points and 10 rebounds.  Karim York added 14, Hagood with 13 and Reggis Onwukamuche and Zachary Hamilton with 10 each.  Hagood also added five steals and five assists.

Scott became the first player under Rimm to achieve the 1,000-point barrier in his career as the Dallas native is the team's leading scorer.

The win gave PVAMU was only the second Mississippi Delta in five years and its first since 2010.  Prior to 2010, PVAMU had not won in the Delta for over two decades.  Prairie View A&M returns to action on Monday night as they'll face Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 8 p.m. on ESPNU in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

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