PVAMU Men's Basketball Rolls To Big Win Over Jarvis Christian Bulldogs In Home OpenerV

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas -- Prairie View A&M men's basketball rolled to a 110-80 win over Jarvis Christian Friday at the William J. Nicks Babydome.

Zachary Hamilton, the reigning Southwestern Athletic Conference Player of the Week, scored 25 points on 7-of-11 shooting including five three-pointers. Gary Blackston added 22 on 10-of-11 shooting to lead four Panthers (3-11) in double figures.

J.D. Wallace also scored 10 points and added nine rebounds, and Iwin Ellis scored a career-high 10 points. Dennis Jones scored eight points and added a career high 10 assists.

The Panthers had season highs in scoring, field goals made (42), three-pointers made (12), shooting percentage (60.0), and assists (23) in reaching the century mark in scoring for the first time since Nov. 14, 2013, a 108-103 home loss to Sam Houston St. The Panthers last 100-point game in a win was a 100-73 win over Schreiner on Nov. 11, 2013.

A blistering start for Prairie View A&M set the tone. After a pair of early ties, the last at 5-5, the Panthers went on a 13-2 run. Blackston made a pair of threes and had eight points, while Hamilton scored five as the lead extended to 18-7 with just under 15 minutes to play in the first half.

Leading 31-22 with just over eight minutes to play in the first half, Prairie View A&M outscored Jarvis Christian 28-10 over the remainder of the half. A pair of free throws by Hamilton with seven seconds to play gave the Panthers the largest lead of the first half at 59-32 at halftime.

The second half started as a dunkfest with back-to-back dunks by Ellis and a Blackston throwdown were the first three PVAMU baskets after intermission and helped to grow to lead to what eventually became 40 at 79-39 on an Ellis layup with 14:39 remaining.

The Panthers open SWAC play Monday hosting Alcorn State at 5 p.m. the second game of the doubleheader which starts with the women's game at 3 p.m. As part of the Holiday Hoops Ticket Offer, tickets can be purchased for $5 for Monday's doubleheader and Wednesday's 5:30 p.m. doubleheader vs. Southern. Plus, all kids 18 and under are admitted free during Holiday Hoops.

PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY STRATEGIC ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS