Alcorn claims another OT win

Story by Alcorn Athletics:

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas – For the second time in as many games, Alcorn Men’s Basketball claimed an overtime win – this one a 77-68 decision Monday evening away to Prairie View A&M in a key Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) showdown inside the William J. Nicks Building. The game was shown live on ESPNU as part of the ESPN Family of Networks’ Monday Night SWAC Basketball partnership.

Alcorn (7-10, 4-1 SWAC) pushed its winning streak to four games as four players reached double-figures scoring in leading the Purple and Gold to yet another thrilling overtime victory.

With the Braves trailing late by a 62-57 margin, Byron Joshua connected for two of his 14 points on the night to bring the visitors to within 62-59 with 50 seconds remaining in regulation. Mike Pajeaud followed moments later with a put-back layup in following up his own miss.

It would be Dominic Brewton putting back a layup off a Pajeaud missed free throw that allowed the Purple and Gold to step in front 63-62 with 43 seconds remaining.

Prairie View A&M (7-12, 3-3 SWAC) used a Hegel Augustin free throw with two seconds showing on the clock to send the game into overtime.

For the Braves, the overtime stanza represented the third of its kind on the season, having went to double overtime at UTEP on November 22, as well as the overtime win two nights ago at Texas Southern.

In the overtime period, the Braves wasted little time jumping out to a quick lead – similar to Saturday’s performance in the extra five minutes of play, as Dekedran Thorn connected on a pair of free throws, followed by a Brewton jumper in the paint – finished up by another pair of Brewton free throws to give the visitors at 73-65 lead with 1:28 remaining in the period.

The lead would swell to a 75-65 advantage for Alcorn after Brewton hit for two more free throws. In all, he was a perfect 4-for-4 from the charity stripe in overtime.

As for the Braves, the team was 8-for-8 at the foul line in overtime.

The Braves defense limited the Panthers to just 2-of-4 shooting from the field in the OT period, while forcing them into six fouls. Alcorn outscored Prairie View A&M by a 14-5 score line in overtime.

Alcorn took a 38-30 lead into the locker room at the half behind a 48.3 percent effort shooting as a team from the floor. Jeremiah Kendall poured in 10 first half points, while teammate Brewton scored 10 of his own for the Purple and Gold.

Prairie View A&M was limited to just 9-of-14 at the foul line on the night, while the Braves converted 20-of-27 overall from the free throw line themselves. Neither team found the touch from long range, as both hit for just three (3) three-pointers in the game, respectfully.

The Panthers were paced on the night in the scoring column by Yahuza Rasas with a game-high 21 points, adding eight rebounds to his stat sheet. Following him in double-figures were teammates Will Douglas (14) and Augustin (10).

Alcorn was led on the night by Brewton’s 20 point scoring performance, also adding three assists to his credit. Dontrell McQuarter provided the Braves with 14 points and eight rebounds, while Joshua finished with 14 points and four assists. Meanwhile, it was Kendall turning in a double-double performance with 12 points and 14 rebounds.

The Braves get back to the hardwood Saturday, Jan. 21, when the Purple and Gold welcome Florida A&M to the Davey L. Whitney Complex for a SWAC affair beginning at 4 p.m. CT.